• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Fork's Tale
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Reviews
  • Projects
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Reviews
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Reviews
    • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

    Shrimp Pasta Salad

    March 3, 2021 Updated: April 8, 2021 By Katie Crenshaw 13 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    This shrimp pasta salad is a cold, creamy, mayonnaise-based pasta salad combined with fresh shrimp, sweet garden peas, boiled eggs, and onion. #shrimppastasalad #coldpastasalad #mayobasedpastasalad
    This shrimp pasta salad is a cold, creamy, mayonnaise-based pasta salad combined with fresh shrimp, sweet garden peas, boiled eggs, and onion. #shrimppastasalad #coldpastasalad #mayobasedpastasalad

    This shrimp pasta salad is a cold, creamy, mayonnaise-based pasta salad combined with fresh shrimp, sweet garden peas, boiled eggs, and onion.

    It is simple and easy to make.

    Try this salad independently for a lunch or light dinner.

    Or create as a side dish for your next cook-out, potluck, or large family gathering.

    shrimp pasta  with lemons as a garnish in grey bowl with  a wooden spoon to the side

    Garnish with perfectly cooked shrimp and bright yellow lemons for a pretty presentation.

    Your family and friends will love this delicious classic pasta salad.

    ingredients for shrimp pasta salad

    Ingredients for cold shrimp pasta salad

    • shell pasta- Honestly you can use ziti, fusilli, or macaroni. I like the shell pasta because the shells scoop up the ingredients and pack it in for a flavorful bite. Also, shells remind you of the sea which ties in with the shrimp...
    • fresh uncooked peeled and deveined shrimp or uncooked peeled and deveined frozen shrimp- Do not buy precooked shrimp! Precooked shrimp that has been refrozen loses its flavor. I promise, it is worth cooking it from scratch!
    • boiled eggs
    • frozen peas- Do not use canned peas, they will become too mushy.
    • onion
    • lemon
    • celery salt- You can substitute with old bay seasoning for a different twist of flavor.
    • mayonnaise- Use real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip.

    Watch how to make

    Tip: I suggest using the larger sized shrimp and cut into small bite sized pieces rather than using the tiny salad shrimp. The larger shrimp have more flavor.

    Note: You can make homemade celery salt that is better than store bought! Try this easy celery salt recipe.

    steps to make shrimp pasta salad

    How to make

    Follow these easy steps to make creamy shrimp pasta from scratch.

    1. Remove tails and shells from shrimp. Bring water to a boil and add shrimp. Boil shrimp about 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are pink and the tails begin to curl.
    2. Remove shrimp from water and place on ice to cool off immediately.
    3. Meanwhile, cook shell pasta. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water until pasta is completely chilled. Set aside.
    4. Chop shrimp into bite sized pieces.
    5. Dice boiled eggs.
    6. Make dressing by mixing mayonnaise, lemon juice, and celery salt.
    7. In a large mixing bowl, mix pasta, diced onion, diced boiled eggs, chopped shrimp, and peas.
    8. Mix dressing with salad. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Tips

    Tip: Make sure water is completely drained from shell pasta before mixing with the salad. Any extra water will make the salad runny.

    Tip: I like to chill my pasta while prepping the other ingredients. Cold pasta will mix better with the dressing.

    Note: If serving outside, take a larger bowl and fill with ice, then place this pasta bowl on top to keep chilled. You do not want the shrimp or mayonnaise to become warm or it will begin to spoil.

    creamy shrimp shell pasta in grey bowl garnished with lemons on grey dinner mat

    Variations:

    This is the traditional classic recipe for cold shrimp pasta salad. However, you can change up this recipe with minor twists:

    • Use Old Bay Seasoning in place of celery salt.
    • Add shredded or diced sharp cheddar cheese.
    • Add crab meat.
    • Add finely diced celery.
    • Use macaroni pasta instead of shell pasta.
    • Add fresh dill.
    • Add diced bell pepper or red pepper.

    Please leave me a comment below if you make this cold pasta salad, and tell me what you think about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.

    Also post your picture of your creamy shrimp pasta on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!

    shrimp pasta salad in grey bowl

    Shrimp Pasta Salad- Mayonnaise Based

    This shrimp pasta salad is a cold, creamy, mayonnaise-based pasta salad combined with fresh shrimp, sweet garden peas, boiled eggs, and onion.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Save Recipe Saved! Rate
    Course: Pasta, Salad
    Cuisine: American, Southern
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 313kcal
    Author: Katie Crenshaw

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound shrimp-peeled and deveined uncooked, remove shells and tails
    • 16 ounces shell pasta
    • 1 ½ cup frozen peas
    • 2 eggs boiled
    • ½ onion diced
    • 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon celery salt
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Bring water to a boil and add 1 lb shrimp. Boil shrimp about 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are pink and the tails begin to curl.
    • Remove shrimp from water and place on ice to cool off immediately.
    • Meanwhile, cook 16 oz shell pasta. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water until pasta is completely chilled. Set aside in refrigerator while prepping other ingredients.
    • Chop shrimp into bite sized pieces.
    • Dice 2 boiled eggs.
    • Make dressing by mixing 1 ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 tbs lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon celery salt.
    • In a large mixing bowl, mix pasta, diced onion, diced boiled eggs, chopped shrimp, and 1 ½ cup peas.
    • Mix in dressing. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Video

    Notes

    Note: Make sure water is completely drained from shell pasta before mixing with the salad. Any extra water will make the salad runny.
    Note: I like to chill my pasta while prepping the other ingredients. Cold pasta will mix better with the dressing.

    Nutrition- Nutrition info is based on estimation only.

    Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 161mg | Sodium: 696mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? I want to see it!Mention @aForksTale or tag #aForksTale!

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Italian pasta salad in a brown bowl with spoon out to the side
      Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
    • Instant Pot Chili Mac
      Instant Pot Chili Mac-Made in 30 Minutes
    • baked spaghetti on a plate with a fork to the side
      Baked Spaghetti Casserole-Southern Recipe
    • macaroni salad in a bowl on a checkered blue and white napkin with a wooden spoon to the side
      Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

    Primary Sidebar

    Katie Crenshaw-A Fork's Tale

    Hi, I'm Katie!

    Thanks for stopping in!! I am a foodie and I LOVE to eat. I am so excited to share my recipes and adventures with you! My recipes are simple and easy for the modern cook.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy

    Subscribe

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Katie Crenshaw is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to A Fork's Tale at www.aforkstale.com to Amazon.com.

    creator expertise banner  for a fork's tale

    Copyright © 2020 A Fork's Tale