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The Best Creamy Seafood Pasta Salad

Looking for the perfect summer pasta salad? This Creamy Seafood Pasta Salad is loaded with flaky salmon, imitation crab, colorful garden rotini, crisp celery, juicy cherry tomatoes, and plenty of cheddar cheese, all tossed in a rich, creamy homemade dressing. Every bite is packed with fresh seafood flavor and a delicious combination of textures that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Whether you're serving it at a backyard cookout, holiday gathering, potluck, or family dinner, this easy seafood pasta salad is always a crowd favorite. It's simple to make, even better after chilling, and perfect for preparing ahead of time. Serve it as a light meal or alongside your favorite grilled meats for a refreshing dish everyone will love.

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Ingredients

For the Dressing

  • ¾ cup real mayonnaise

  • ¼ cup salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip)

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

  • ½ tbsp garlic salt

  • ½ tsp black pepper

For the Salmon

  • 1 salmon fillet

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • ¼ tsp salt, divided

  • ¼ tsp black pepper, divided

Cook the salmon, then flake or dice it into bite-sized pieces.

For the Pasta Salad

  • 2 cups uncooked Garden Rotini pasta

  • 3 cups water

  • ½ (16 oz) package imitation crab meat, chopped

  • 1 cup thinly sliced celery

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • ½ cup Colby Jack cheese plus more for topping

  • ¼ tsp dried cilantro (or 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped)

❀ Connies Tip: Chill the pasta before mixing everything together. Cold pasta helps the dressing coat every bite and gives the salad the best flavor and texture.

Other Recipes you might like

Parmesan, Garlic Butter Noodles

Dinner  In A Salad

Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad

Buttery Lemon Pepper tilapia

Crab  Casserole

Connie's Tip: You can also add

olives, diced onions and dill relish

Directions

Step 1: Make the Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

  • Real mayonnaise

  • Salad dressing

  • Soy sauce

  • Sugar

  • Garlic salt

  • Black pepper

Mix until smooth and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Add the garden rotini and 3 cups of water to your Instant Pot.

Secure the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure (Manual) for 12 minutes. Perform a quick release, drain the pasta, and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until completely chilled.

Step 3: Cook the Salmon

While the pasta is cooling, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Drizzle the salmon with the lemon juice and season both sides evenly with the salt and pepper.

Cook until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is lightly browned on both sides. Remove from the skillet, allow it to cool, then flake or cut into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

Add the celery, cherry tomatoes, imitation crab, and cooled salmon to the prepared dressing. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.

Fold in the chilled rotini pasta and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, mixing gently to combine.

Step 5: Chill & Serve

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend.

Sprinkle with a little extra shredded cheddar cheese and a pinch of dried cilantro just before serving.

❀ Connie's Tip: This pasta salad tastes even better the next day! If it thickens after chilling overnight, simply stir in 1–2 tablespoons of milk or a spoonful of mayonnaise to make it creamy again.

How to store Seafood Salad

Store your Creamy Seafood Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keep the salad refrigerated until you're ready to serve, and avoid leaving it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

For the best flavor and texture, give the salad a quick stir before serving. If it has thickened after chilling, mix in a spoonful of mayonnaise or a splash of milk to make it creamy again.

❀ Connie's Tip: This pasta salad actually tastes even better after a few hours in the refrigerator! Making it the night before gives the dressing time to soak into the pasta and brings all of the flavors together beautifully.

❀ Connie's Variations

 

🩐 Shrimp Seafood Pasta Salad

Replace the salmon with 1 pound of cooked shrimp for a light and refreshing seafood twist.

🩀 Crab Lovers Pasta Salad

Double the imitation crab and leave out the salmon for an extra crab-filled version.

🐟 All Salmon Pasta Salad

Skip the imitation crab and use 2 cooked salmon fillets for a rich, salmon-packed salad.

🧀 Extra Cheesy Seafood Pasta Salad

Add an extra ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese or try Colby Jack for even more cheesy goodness.

đŸ„“ Bacon Ranch Seafood Pasta Salad

Add 6 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon and 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning to the dressing for a smoky twist.

đŸ„’ Garden Veggie Seafood Pasta Salad

Mix in diced cucumber, bell peppers, broccoli, or sliced green onions for extra color and crunch.

đŸŒ¶ïž Spicy Seafood Pasta Salad

Add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a few dashes of hot sauce for a little heat.

🍋 Lemon Herb Seafood Pasta Salad

Stir in fresh dill, parsley, and a little extra lemon juice for a bright, fresh flavor.

đŸ«’ Mediterranean Seafood Pasta Salad

Add sliced black olives, diced cucumbers, feta cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired version.

đŸ„‘ Avocado Seafood Pasta Salad

Just before serving, gently fold in diced avocado for a creamy, fresh finish.

❀ Connie's Tip: This recipe is easy to customize! Swap the seafood, vegetables, or cheese with your family's favorites to create a new pasta salad every time.

❀ Connie Wants to Know...

What's your favorite seafood to add to pasta salad? 🩐 Shrimp, 🩀 Crab, 🐟 Salmon, or something else? Tell me in the comments below! ❀

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