Shrimp Macaroni Salad – This delicious macaroni salad made with fresh ingredients is a perfect summer season salad recipe made in less than 10 minutes.
Shrimp Macaroni Salad Recipe
Calling all party people and potluck champions! Tonight, we’re celebrating everyone’s favorite creamy and crowd-pleasing side dish Shrimp Macaroni Salad. This nostalgic dish combines perfectly cooked pasta, juicy shrimp, a creamy dressing, and your favorite crunchy vegetables for a flavor explosion that’s guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. So, grab your mixing bowls and get ready to create a side dish that’s both easy and impressive.
The Ultimate Shrimp Macaroni Salad
Homemade Dressing: For extra flavor control, try making your own mayonnaise-based dressing from scratch.
Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle your finished salad with chopped fresh parsley, dill, or chives for a burst of freshness.
Protein Powerhouse: Add cooked and chopped chicken or chopped cooked ham for a heartier salad option.
Shrimp Macaroni Salad – Tips and Tricks
Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook your macaroni to al dente (slightly firm to the bite) to prevent a mushy salad.
Cool it down: Let the cooked pasta cool completely before adding it to the other ingredients. This prevents the dressing from becoming greasy.
Fresh is best: Use fresh, crisp vegetables for the best flavor and texture. Celery, red onion, and chopped bell peppers are all classic choices.
Recipe Variations
Veggie Fiesta: Add chopped broccoli, peas, or corn for a vibrant and colorful twist.
Cheese Dreams: Stir in grated cheddar cheese, crumbled feta, or shredded mozzarella for an extra layer of flavor and creaminess.
Spicy Kick: Love a little heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeno to the dressing for a touch of spice.
How to Serve Shrimp Macaroni Salad ?
Barbecue Bliss: This salad is a perfect side dish for any backyard barbecue. Serve it alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, and potato chips for a classic summer spread.
Potluck Perfection: This crowd-pleasing salad is ideal for potlucks and gatherings. It’s easy to transport and sure to disappear quickly!
Light Lunch Option: Serve on a bed of lettuce for a light and satisfying lunch.
How to Store Shrimp Macaroni Salad:
Shrimp macaroni salad is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?
Absolutely! Pre-cooked shrimp save you time and work perfectly in this recipe. Just thaw them completely and pat them dry before adding them to the salad.
What kind of pasta should I use?
Elbow macaroni is the classic choice, but any small, bite-sized pasta like shells, rotini, or penne will work well.
How can I make the salad creamy?
The magic lies in the dressing! Use high-quality mayonnaise and a touch of Dijon mustard for a rich and flavorful base.
Shrimp Macaroni Salad
Shrimp Macaroni Salad - This delicious macaroni salad made with fresh ingredients is a perfect summer season salad recipe made in less than 10 minutes.
Ingredients
For The Dressing:
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- 1-2 generous pinch sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
For The Salad:
- 1 ½ pounds cooked shrimp peeled, (large sized) deveined and the roughly chopped
- ⅔ cup onion, finely diced
- 1 ¼ cups celery, finely diced
- 2 Tablespoons parsley, freshly chopped
- 1 pound pasta, cooked as per the package instruction
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add all the salad ingredients and combine.
- Add the dressing and mix well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or an hour.
- For the dressing: Whisk all the dressing ingredients until combined.
- Adjust the seasonings as per your taste.
- Pour over the salad and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Yield
10Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 314Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 153mgSodium 933mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 19g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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