Shrimp Pasta Salad
Jun 24, 2026
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If you need a simple, delicious summer salad, this shrimp pasta salad is a must try. Filled with shrimp, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh herbs, and a creamy dressing, this is just what you need for a potluck, cookout, or easy summer dinner.
Growing up, one of my favorite local restaurants had the most amazing shrimp pasta salad on their menu. It was the perfect combination of flavors and I would order it whenever I had the chance.
After I moved away, I would get the craving for the salad and knew I had to try and recreate the recipe. I tested making this several times to try and get it just like the restaurants and after a few adjustments I think I’ve come pretty close.
The secret ingredient that gives this pasta salad it’s great seafood flavor is Old Bay Seasoning. I like to mix it in with the dressing and also sprinkle a little on the shrimp for an extra boost flavor.
Want more pasta salads, try coleslaw pasta salad, ranch pasta salad, ditalini pasta salad, and spaghetti pasta salad.
Ingredients
Just a handful of ingredients are needed for this easy shrimp pasta salad.
- Shrimp: You can use fresh shrimp or thawed, frozen shrimp. Make sure they are peeled, deveined, and the tails are removed. Small to medium size shrimp work well.
- Old Bay seasoning: Classic seafood seasoning that adds so much flavor to this pasta salad.
- Pasta: Any small pasta shape will work. My favorite is small shells. Elbow macaroni, rotini, and ditalini are also great choices.
- Celery: Adds color and crunch to the pasta salad.
- Onion: Use finely diced sweet onion, like a Vidalia onion for mild flavor. You can substitute with red onion or diced green onions.
- Bell pepper: Bell pepper adds a little crunch, sweetness, and color.
- Miracle Whip: Many pasta salads use a mayonnaise based dressing but I like using Miracle Whip for this creamy dressing.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and helps to balance out the dressing.
- Fresh dill: Fresh dill gives the pasta salad fresh flavor and pairs well with the shrimp. You can substitute with dried dill.
- Ground black pepper: Just a little black pepper can be added to enhance the flavor.
- Celery seed: This gives the dressing deli style flavor and pairs well the the Old Bay.
How to make shrimp pasta salad
Scroll to the bottom for the full list of ingredients and instructions.
Step one: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. I like adding a little salt to the boiling water to give extra flavor to the pasta.
Step two: While the pasta is boiling, dice your cooked shrimp and toss in a little Old Bay seasoning.
Step three: Drain off the water from the pasta in a colander. Rinse the pasta in cold water to help stop the cooking.
Step four: Place the pasta in a large bowl. Stir in diced celery, onions, bell peppers, dill, and shrimp.
Step five: Make the dressing by whisking together the Miracle Whip, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, celery seed, and ground black pepper.
Step six: Stir the pasta salad with the dressing until everything is coated.
Step seven: Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Step eight: Give the pasta salad a stir before serving.
Heather’s recipe tips
- Cook the pasta until al dente. This will help it hold up to the dressing.
- Rinse pasta with cold water. Rinsing the pasta helps to stop the cooking process. Make sure that it drains well.
- Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Chill the pasta salad before serving. This will allow the flavors to develop.
Variations
- Pasta: You can use different pasta shapes like ditalini, bow tie, rotini, or elbow pasta.
- Dressing: Try substituting the Miracle Whip with mayonnaise for a less sweet dressing.
- Vegetables: Add more vegetables like cucumbers, peas, or tomatoes.
- More seafood: Make this a seafood pasta salad by adding lump crab meat or lobster.
Storage instructions
Keep any leftover shrimp pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If the pasta salad is a little dry, you can mix in a tablespoon of Miracle Whip.
I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
Frequently asked questions
This can be left out at room temperature for about an hour if serving at a potluck or cookout.
Yes, you can use the cooked, small salad shrimp.
Yes, you can cook fresh or frozen uncooked shrimp. Just make sure to let them cool down before adding to the pasta salad.
More pasta salad recipes
- Ham Pasta Salad
- Italian Sub Pasta Salad
- Elote Pasta Salad
- Cucumber Pasta Salad
- Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad
Shrimp Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounce small pasta shells
- 16 ounce cooked shrimp, shells off, tails removed, and deveined
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup sweet Vidalia onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
Dressing
- 1 cup Miracle Whip
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon celery seed
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Pour the pasta in the boiling water and cook according to package directions.
- Pour the cooked pasta in a colander to drain off the water. Rinse the pasta with cold water. Set aside.
- Cut the cooked shrimp into small pieces. Toss the shrimp with ½ teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning.
- Add the pasta to a large bowl. Stir in the diced celery, onions, bell pepper, fresh dill, and seasoned shrimp.
Dressing
- Whisk together the Miracle Whip, lemon juice, Old Bay Seasoning, celery seed, and ground black pepper.
- Stir the dressing in with the pasta salad.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Video
Notes
- Cook the pasta until al dente. This will help it hold up to the dressing.
- Rinse pasta with cold water. Rinsing the pasta helps to stop the cooking process. Make sure that it drains well.
- Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Chill the pasta salad before serving. This will allow the flavors to develop.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
