Macaroni Crab Salad
Dive into the refreshing flavors of this creamy Macaroni Crab Salad, a perfect balance of tender pasta, sweet crab meat, and crisp, vibrant vegetables. This crowd-pleasing recipe combines al dente elbow macaroni with a mix of shredded imitation or lump crab meat, crunchy celery, red bell peppers, and zesty red onion, all enveloped in a tangy, velvety dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a bright touch, this salad is easy to prepare in just 30 minutes and is best served chilled, making it a versatile option for potlucks, summer barbecues, or light main courses. With its creamy texture, pops of fresh crunch, and seafood-forward appeal, this dish is sure to be a hit at any gathering.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 lb imitation crab meat (or lump crab meat)
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.75 cups mayonnaise
- 0.25 cups sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool completely. Set aside.
While the pasta cooks, finely dice the celery, red bell pepper, and red onion. Roughly chop the parsley.
If using imitation crab meat, shred it into bite-sized pieces. If using lump crab meat, ensure it’s free of shells and break it into chunks.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to create the creamy dressing.
Add the cooked macaroni, crab meat, diced vegetables, and parsley to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preference.
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve chilled as a side dish or main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
445 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.9 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.0 g | 25% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 31 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 1034 mg | 45% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.2 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.2 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g | ||
| Protein | 11.4 g | 23% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 42 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 238 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
