Macaroni Salad With Shrimp

Name: Macaroni Salad with Shrimp
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup Mayonnaise; ¼ cup white vinegar; 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon fresh dill (finely chopped); ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground pepper; 1 lb elbow macaroni pasta; 1 lb cooked medium shrimp; ½ medium orange bell pepper (chopped); ½ medium red bell pepper (chopped); ½ cup red onion (chopped); ½ cup celery (chopped); Lime wedges (to serve)

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Craving a comforting pasta dish with a seafood twist? This Macaroni Salad with Shrimp is a deliciously creamy and easy-to-make meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. It combines tender shrimp with perfectly cooked macaroni in a rich, creamy sauce. Simple, satisfying and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s Savory. The dressing features flavorful elements like pickle relish and fresh dill, which give the dish a rich, savory taste.
It’s Quick and Easy. From start to finish, this dish is ready in 30 minutes.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit dietary needs or personal taste.
Family-Friendly: The combination of pasta and shrimp is loved by both adults and kids alike.

Shrimp Macaroni Salad Ingredients

Ingredients needed for shrimp macaroni salad.

Mayonnaise: Mayo serves as a base for the creamy dressing, giving it a tangy flavor. You can use light mayonnaise if you prefer.
White vinegar: Vinegar helps to thin out the dressing and adds brightness. You can use any kind of light vinegar, like apple cider or white wine for a different taste.
Honey: Honey adds a little sweetness, which complements the shrimp’s natural sweetness. If you don’t have honey, you could use white sugar dissolved in the vinegar.
Flavorings for the dressing: Dijon mustard, sweet pickle relish, fresh dill, salt, and black pepper add flavor to the creamy dressing.
Macaroni pasta: Elbow macaroni is a great shape as it holds tons of tangy dressing. You could also use a penne or fusilli pasta if you have that on hand instead.
Cooked medium shrimp: You can purchase pre-cooked shrimp or cook them yourself on the grill or stovetop. While tail-on shrimp have a great presentation, you can remove the tails before tossing the salad if you prefer.
Chopped veggies: Chopped orange and red peppers, red onion, and celery give a crunch and fresh flavor.
Lime wedges: Serve the salad with lime wedges to add a zesty kick before eating.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Pasta: While elbow macaroni is traditional, you can use any short pasta like rotini, farfalle, or shells.
Shrimp: If you don’t have shrimp, feel free to substitute it with cooked chicken or tuna.
Dressing Variations: For a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt or a mix of Greek yogurt and mayo. You can also use a vegan mayonnaise for a dairy-free option.
Veggies: Add or substitute vegetables like peas, carrots, or peppers for extra crunch and color.

How To Make Macaroni Salad With Shrimp

Step 1: Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, relish, honey, dill, salt, and pepper until combined.

Step 2: Cook the pasta. Cook according to the package instructions, reducing the cooking time by a minute to keep the pasta slightly firm. Drain well and set aside to cool.

Salad ingredients are layered in a bowl and topped with dressing.

Step 3: Mix the salad. In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, cooked shrimp, chopped vegetables and dressing. Toss until everything is evenly coated.

A spatula is used to combine macaroni, shrimp and salad dressing.

Step 4: Garnish and serve. Garnish with fresh dill and lime wedges and serve chilled.

What to Serve with Macaroni Shrimp Salad

Shrimp macaroni salad is a creamy, flavorful dish that pairs well with a variety of sides and mains. Here are some delicious options to complement this salad.

Meats: This salad pairs perfectly with chicken, steak, or salmon for a complete meal. Try it with my Easy Lemon Pepper Salmon recipe.

Garlic Bread: For a simple and comforting side, serve with warm garlic bread to soak up the extra dressing. Try my Homemade Roasted Garlic Bread Recipe.

Tips to Perfect the Recipe

Cook Pasta to Al Dente: Make sure the pasta is cooked just until tender but firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta can become mushy in the salads.
Chill for Best Flavor: While it’s not required, chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes allows the the pasta to absort all the flavors.
Rinse the Pasta: Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent it from becoming too soft.

Storing and Reheating

Storing: Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing: The mayonnaise-based dressing can separate in the freezer, so it’s not recommend to freeze this recipe.

A serving of macaroni salad with shrimp on a plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make macaroni ahead of time?

Yes. As the salad sits up to 24 hours, the flavors will blend. Store it in the fridge and stir before serving.

How do I prevent the salad from becoming watery?

Make sure that all ingredients are well-drained or patted dry before mixing.

How can I keep this salad cold while serving?

You can place the salad in a metal or glass bowl that’s been pre-chilled in the freezer or set the serving bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice.

More Pasta Salad Recipes

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment and rate the recipe! Also follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on Facebook |Instagram |Pinterest for all of my latest social posts and recipes.