Pasta Salad With Crab Meat And Italian Dressing
Summer is upon us, and what better way to beat the heat than with a refreshing, delicious pasta salad with crab meat and Italian dressing? This dish is perfect for those hot summer days when you just don't feel like cooking anything too heavy or complicated. It's easy to make, requires just a few simple ingredients, and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Whether you're hosting a barbecue or just looking for a quick and easy lunch idea, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit with everyone.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of pasta (preferably short pasta like fusilli)
- 1 pound of fresh crab meat
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup of Italian dressing
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, crab meat, diced red and green bell peppers, and diced red onion.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, mayonnaise, salt, and black pepper.
4. Pour the dressing over the pasta and crab mixture. Toss well to combine.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. Before serving, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Variations:
This pasta salad recipe is very versatile, and you can easily customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas:
- Substitute the crab meat for cooked shrimp, lobster, or even chicken.
- Add some sliced black olives, chopped tomatoes, or sliced cucumbers.
- Use a different type of pasta, such as penne, macaroni, or rotini.
- Try a different type of dressing, such as ranch or Caesar.
Nutritional Information:
One serving of this pasta salad with crab meat and Italian dressing (based on 8 servings) contains approximately:
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 19g
- Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 580mg
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this pasta salad with crab meat and Italian dressing is a perfect summer dish that is easy to prepare, refreshing, and delicious. You can easily customize this recipe to your liking and experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique version. Whether you're hosting a party, going to a picnic or barbecue, or just looking for a quick and easy lunch idea, this pasta salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Try it out today and enjoy this mouthwatering dish!