“And the rain, rain, rain, came down, down, down.” This line from Winnie-the Pooh’s Blustery Day describes what our June has been like so far. It’s hot. It’s muggy. It’s time for dinner. Wait, what? How did that last item slip in there? No one –or at least not me– wants to heat up the kitchen in this weather. I wanted meals that didn’t require a lot of effort, tasted good, and kept the kitchen cool. Sounds impossible, right? Nope. I pulled out my Crab Pasta Salad Recipe and ‘got to cooking.’
Crab Pasta Salad Recipe
I don’t remember who gave me this recipe as I’ve made it for years, but it quickly became a family favorite. After my daughter was diagnosed with Celiac and many of her favorite dishes were off-limits, I made this gluten-free by switching to gluten-free pasta.
Plan ahead to make this dish. It needs to chill for 2 to 4 hours prior to serving. It can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge, making it a great dish for summer holidays and parties.
Substitutions and Additions:
The great thing about this salad is how versatile it is. You can change the vegetables, the dressing, or add more ingredients and it’s still good. Don’t like an ingredient? Leave it out.
Want to make this pasta salad a favorite for your family? Use any of the following adaptations.
Substitutions:
- Substitute imitation crab meat for the lump crab meat to make a lower-cost dish that still tastes great.
- Substitute gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- Substitute cauliflower for broccoli.
- Substitute Blue Cheese Dressing, traditional Italian Dressing, or any type of Ranch Dressing for the Creamy Italian Dressing.
- Need a lower-fat version? Substitute low-fat or fat-free dressing and low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise for the regular version.
- Replace the shredded Parmesan Cheese with Plain or Honey-flavored goat cheese.
- Substitute any of the following kinds of pasta for the rigatoni; small shells, Penne, Bowties, or Rotini.
Additions:
- Add your favorite vegetables to the salad. Good choices include red or yellow bell pepper, shredded carrots, olives, or banana peppers. You could also add some cucumbers for crunch.
Tip for Preparing Perfect Pasta:
This is a trick taught to me by the local lunch lady who always had the pasta salad all the kids wanted to eat. I admit I don’t do this all the time. But, if I plan on carrying pasta salads to an event, I always do this. It makes the pasta stay firm.
Fill one side of the kitchen sink with ice. Drain the al dente pasta and immediately place the colander into the ice bath, making sure the ice extends up the sides but doesn’t cover the pasta. Allow the pasta to sit in the ice bath for 10 to 15 minutes.
Here’s the secret. Pasta continues to cook after it is drained and removed from heat. This stops the cooking process and ensures the pasta stays firm.
Gluten-Free Pasta Cooking Tip:
Do you think gluten-free pasta tastes bad and is clumpy? Try this tip. Be sure the water is boiling before you add the pasta. If you add the pasta to the water before it boils it will make the noodles clump. No one wants clumpy noodles!
Once the pasta is al dente, drain it immediately, rinse with cool water, and add to the salad.
Storage:
Place the pasta salad in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It is not recommended to freeze this salad.
Printable Recipe:
Crab Pasta Salad Recipe
Plan ahead to make this salad as it needs 2 hours chilling time before serving.
Ingredients
2 cups uncooked medium rigatoni OR gluten-free rigatoni
1-1/2 cups lump crab meat or chopped imitation crabmeat
1 cup fresh broccoli florets, chopped
1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/4 cup chopped green onions
For The Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup creamy Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse in cold water. Place the pasta in a large bowl. Stir in crab, broccoli, green pepper, tomatoes, and onions.
- To make the dressing:
Combine the mayonnaise, Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the salad and gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours before serving.
There’s a reason I like this salad- besides that it is quick and easy. It tempts the kids to eat their vegetables. I hope it does the same for you. Do you have a favorite salad that your kids gobble up? What tricks do you use to get the kids to eat their vegetables?
I love crab and I’m a carb queen, this is perfect for me!
This looks like the PERFECT summer salad! We catch our own crabs here at the Jersey Shore, so I will be saving this recipe!
LOVE having new recipes to try! This looks really super delicious. I am going to give it a try this weekend.
This looks really yummy! There is nothing better than a good pasta salad. I am going to have to give this a try as I am sure it would be great for a BBQ or a Potluck!
Oh yum, this looks great and easy to make! I love crab and pasta together! Thanks for the idea!
Yum! I love pasta salad but have never thought about adding crab to it. What a great idea!
That looks like such a great side dish! I’ve never made a crab salad before. I don’t eat it, but my family loves it!
This looks delicious! I made something similar and it turned out great. I love your version, will try this one too
What a great idea! I’m so making this for labor day weekend!
I love pasta and that looks like a great colorful option to bring to a luncheon I have coming up. Lot’s of great veggies.
I absolutely love crab! What a great way to use it in a classic summer dish!
I’m not a fan of crab, but this still looks delicious! I would give this a try, I just wouldn’t be able to have it with crab. I know a few that would really love it though.
I love crab, I have never had crab salad before. This sounds perfect for a summer picnic!
This Crab Pasta Salad recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to add it to my meal plan and pick up the ingredients I need this weekend.
I am always looking for new recipes to try. This Crab Pasta Salad recipe looks so good I am sure it will be a big hit with my family.
That pasta salad looks delicious! Thanks for including the gluten free option, too. That makes a big difference for so many people these days.
This recipe looks absolutely devine and so refreshing! My husband loves seafood so I know that I need to add this to our weekly meal plan!
Ooh this would be perfect for the seafood lovers in the family. My daughter would like the gluten free pasta too!
I love using crab as an ingredient! I’ve made dips and crab salads but never a pasta salad. I think it sounds delicious.
That looks so good! I love how easy it is to make, and I love the use of the imitation crab. I really enjoy that stuff in recipes.
That looks absolutely divine! I’m always looking for something that I can eat at lunchtime and that is not a regular ol’ sandwich! I can’t wait to try this!