Ah, summer gatherings—the time when the sun’s rays kiss your cheeks and laughter fills the air. I once found myself at a beachside picnic, waves crashing nearby, when I stumbled upon the most unexpected delight: a shrimp macaroni salad that seemed to dance on the taste buds. It was a symphony of flavors, creamy and tangy with bursts of ocean-fresh shrimp—perfect for those lazy, golden afternoons.
Steps
- Cook the macaroni according to the package directions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cool water to stop further cooking, then transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Finely chop the celery, bell pepper, and onion. Add these vegetables along with the cooked shrimp to the bowl with the macaroni and stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, celery seed, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure that all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors meld. Stir the salad once more before serving to redistribute the dressing and ingredients evenly.
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni noodles
- 4 stalks celery, chopped small (about 1 cup)
- ½ bell pepper (red or green), diced, seeds removed (approximately ? cup)
- ¼ small onion, diced (approximately ¾ cup)
- 2 cups small salad shrimp, cooked
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon celery seed
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2672kcal | Carbohydrates: 176g | Protein: 80g | Fat: 184g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Trans Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 752mg | Sodium: 4152mg | Potassium: 504mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 592IU | Vitamin C: 64mg | Calcium: 464mg | Iron: 8mg
FAQ
- How long can shrimp pasta salad be left out at room temperature?
- Due to its mayonnaise-based dressing, it’s best not to leave this pasta salad out at room temperature for more than 30 minutes. If you’re serving it outdoors or in a warm setting, consider keeping it in a cooler or placing the serving bowl in an ice-filled container to maintain its chill.
- How long does shrimp pasta salad last in the refrigerator?
- When stored in an airtight container, shrimp pasta salad can last up to three days in the fridge. Remember to stir it before serving. It’s not recommended to freeze pasta salad as it may separate and become oily upon thawing.
- Can this shrimp pasta salad recipe be doubled?
- Yes, you can easily double this recipe by simply doubling all the ingredients. Just ensure you have a sufficiently large bowl to mix everything together.
Tips
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Ensure your pasta is cooked al dente, meaning it should be firm to the bite. This prevents the pasta salad from becoming mushy, especially after it chills in the fridge.
- Chill Before Serving: Allow the pasta salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and enhances the overall taste.
- Keep It Cool: If serving the salad outdoors, maintain its freshness by keeping it in a cooler or placing the serving bowl in an ice bin to prevent the mayonnaise-based dressing from spoiling.
- Enhance Dressing Flavor: Taste and adjust the seasoning of the dressing before combining it with the pasta. Keep in mind that the flavors will further develop as the salad sits, so season it slightly less than your preference initially.
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl – Required for combining the pasta, veggies, shrimp, and dressing.
- Whisk – Needed for mixing the dressing ingredients together.
- Colander – Useful for draining the cooked pasta.
- Airtight Storage Container – Essential for storing the salad in the refrigerator.
