Description
This Creamy Spaghetti Seafood Salad is packed with fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, zesty onions, and premium seafood, all tossed in creamy Italian dressing. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser and the go-to dish for summer cookouts, holiday parties, or any time the family gets together at the park
Ingredients
- 8 oz Thin Spaghetti Pasta
- 1 Cup Deveined Pre- Cooked Shrimp, chopped
- 4 oz Leg Style Imitation Crab Meat, chopped
- 4 oz Chunk Style Imitation Lobster, chopped
- 1/2 Cup Cucumbers, diced
- 1/4 cup Red Onions, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Grape Tomatoes, sliced
- 2 Qts Water + 1 Tsp Salt
- 16 oz Creamy Italian Dressing
- 2 Tsps Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/8 or 1/4 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- Parsley Flakes (For decoration purposes)
Instructions
- Place a large pot over high heat.
- Add cold water and salt, then stir well.
- After 10 minutes, or once the water comes to a boil, break the spaghetti in half.
- Add it to the water and boil for 12 minutes.
- Once the spaghetti is done, drain the hot water, and rinse with cold water for about 2 minutes.
(Let it sit for about 10 minutes to dry a bit.) - Meanwhile, peel and chop up the shrimp.
- Shred the imitation crab meat and chop the lobster meat into small pieces.
- Chop the onions into small pieces, peel and dice the cucumber, then slice the tomatoes in half.
- Add the spaghetti to a big mixing bowl.
- Add in the dressing and seasonings, then fold well.
- Add in the chopped seafood and vegetables, then fold well.
- Garnish the salad with parsley flakes.
- Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate to chill.
Notes
- Make it the night before: For the absolute best results, prep this salad the night before you serve it. Letting it sit in the fridge overnight allows the seafood, seasonings, and dressing to marry together for a way deeper flavor.
- Keep it al dente: Don’t overcook your spaghetti! Boil it until it’s tender but still firm to the bite. The Spaghetti will naturally soften as it absorbs the dressing while chilling, so starting firm keeps it from getting mushy.
- Don’t skip the cold rinse: As soon as you drain the hot water, rinse the spaghetti with cold water for 30 to 40 seconds. This instantly stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch, so your spaghetti doesn’t stick together.
- Squeeze and pat dry: Water is the enemy of a creamy salad! Make sure to squeeze out all the liquid from your packaged seafood, pat down any vegetables you may have rinsed, and ensure the spaghetti is dry before mixing so your dressing stays thick and rich.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-6
