Old Bay Shrimp Pasta Salad is a perfect dish to cool you down on a hot summer day. I’ve been looking to create a unique pasta salad to compliment my Maryland roots and I think this is it! Old Bay seasoning makes it a winner! Our 4th of July celebration will be indoors because of weather, but there’s no need to feel blue. An indoor feast for the making is in progress. Crock pot ribs, Creamy Coleslaw , corn on the cob and at least this pasta salad should help brighten this dreary day.
Let’s start with steaming the shrimp, if you are using uncooked peeled and deveined shrimp. Once cooked, toss the shrimp with the Old Bay seasoning until all are coated with a dusting of this fabulously perfect seafood spice blend. My preference is to actually use raw shrimp and steam it using a bath of 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of Old Bay seasoning like in my Old Bay Steamed Shrimp recipe. The only alteration to it was to shorten the steaming time because the shrimp are much smaller. I feel infusing the shrimp with more Old Bay when steaming impacts the final flavor of the salad in an amazing way. I’d definitely recommend it!
If using pre-cooked/frozen thaw and pat them slightly dry before adding the seasoning. Cook the shell pasta ahead of time, but stop the process about a minute before al dente. I prefer to use shell pasta since it’s represents salt water life, like the shrimp. Feel free to use any similar size pasta.
With all of the ingredients prepped, and the pasta is cooling on the side, you are ready to complete this summer masterpiece with a minimal time commitment.
Small shell pasta is perfect for this size shrimp. Perhaps if I used larger shrimp, I could use the next larger size up of shell pasta. In the serving dish, layer the pasta on the bottom and the shrimp and dressing on the top. Gently toss the mixture to evenly distribute the contents throughout the pasta. Cover and chill until ready to serve.. I made this early so that the flavors could blend while chilling.
Once combined, cover and chill this Old Bay Shrimp Salad before serving. Not only is it perfect as a summer side dish, but by itself for a quick lunch on a hot day. If you like this, you may want to try my amazing Old Bay Spicy Shrimp Salad over salad greens or on a toasted, buttery croissant. It will not disappoint!
Old Bay Shrimp Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound small shell pasta or other of your choice
- 1 pound small shrimp 61-70 count, peeled, deveined see notes
- 2 t Old Bay seasoning
- 2 T lemon juice
- 1 c Miracle Whip Salad Dressing
- 1 c celery, finely chopped
- 1 t dried dill weed
- 1/2 t Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 t cayenne
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water to al dente stage; drain and cool.
- Steam shrimp, if raw, for 2-3 minutes; drain and toss with 2 teaspoons of the Old Bay. Set aside.
- Combine the other ingredients together.
- Once the pasta has cooled, toss gently with the shrimp and dressing mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve cold and return unused portion promptly to refrigerator.
Notes
