Cold Shrimp Pasta Salad 🍤🥒🍋🥗 Cool, Creamy, and Packed With Juicy Shrimp, Fresh Crunch, and Zesty Summer Vibes

This one’s made for warm days and make-ahead moments — chilled pasta tossed with succulent shrimp, crisp veggies, and a lemony-herb dressing that keeps everything vibrant. It’s light but satisfying, protein-packed, and endlessly riffable.

Serve it for lunch, picnics, potlucks, or lazy heatwave dinners when you want something fresh that still fills you up.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the pasta

• 8 oz short pasta (rotini, shells, or farfalle)
• Salted water for boiling
• Rinse with cold water after cooking

For the shrimp

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Salt and pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder or Old Bay
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter

For the salad mix-ins

• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup red onion, finely sliced or diced
• ½ cup celery, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh dill, parsley, or basil
• Optional: ¼ cup crumbled feta or cubed mozzarella

For the dressing

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste

To finish

• Extra herbs
• Lemon zest or hot sauce
• Optional: drizzle of chili oil or splash of white vinegar

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the pasta
Cook pasta in salted water until just past al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water until fully cool, and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the shrimp
Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and garlic powder or Old Bay. Sear in olive oil over medium-high heat for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked. Cool completely, then chop or leave whole.

Step 3: Make the dressing
In a large bowl, whisk together mayo or yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and tangy.

Step 4: Build the salad
Add cooked pasta, shrimp, cucumber, tomato, red onion, celery, and herbs to the bowl. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the dressing.

Step 5: Chill and serve
Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes before serving for best flavor. Top with more herbs, lemon zest, or a splash of vinegar just before serving.

Flavor Variations

• Use avocado or tahini in the dressing for creaminess
• Add cooked corn, edamame, or peas for a green boost
• Swap dill for basil or mint for a summer twist
• Use lime juice and cilantro for a Baja-style vibe
• Toss in cooked orzo and crumbled feta for a Greek remix

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook the shrimp — chill them fast after searing
• Use cold pasta, not warm — it helps the dressing cling better
• Let it sit at least 30 minutes in the fridge so flavors meld
• Add salt after chilling — flavors mellow when cold
• Make extra dressing if you’re storing overnight — pasta will absorb it

Final Thoughts

Cold Shrimp Pasta Salad is cool, crunchy, and craveable — the kind of dish that works as a full meal or a bright side, no stove time required once it’s built. It’s lemony, herby, and endlessly adjustable depending on what’s in the fridge.

Sear the shrimp. Chill the pasta. Toss it bright and fresh. 🍤🥗🍋🔥

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

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🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
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🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
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