Make Ahead
This shrimp and pasta salad can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator. In fact, I actually think this recipe is better when you make it in advance and the flavors have time to combine. This shrimp pasta salad recipe is no exception. It is a riff on my mom’s amazing Crab Pasta Salad with two simple tweaks that address common questions I get about that recipe. It is made with shrimp instead of imitation crab for those who are imitation crab averse. Second, it uses Old Bay Seasoning instead of Spike. While I love Spike, Old Bay Seasoning is also delicious and tends to be easier to find. And when you can’t find it, I have a great homemade recipe for it. All of this brings you a cold shrimp pasta salad that is easy to make with easy-to-find ingredients. The ingredients come together perfectly to make an irresistible pasta salad.
Use enough water. We are using a full pound of pasta for this recipe, so you want to be sure to use four to six quarts of water. Bring the water to a full boil. For the pasta to cook properly, you need the water at a full boil – I mean big giant bubbles – when you add in the dry pasta. Salt the water. You will get the most flavor out of your pasta if you add one to two teaspoons of kosher salt to the pasta water before you add in the dry pasta. Cook the pasta for the correct amount of time. Look at the time on the box and set a timer as soon as you add the dry pasta to the boiling water. This will ensure that your pasta is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water. This will stop the pasta from cooking and will keep it from sticking to itself until it is used.
Storing Leftovers
Please keep in mind that this pasta salad should only be kept out for two hours at the most before it is put back in the refrigerator. Leftovers can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to four days. Give it a good stir to mix everything after it has been sitting. I do not recommend freezing this recipe. If you make this pasta salad with shrimp or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment below the recipe card and let me know what you think!
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