Go Back
seafood_spaghetti_pasta_salad

Seafood Spaghetti Pasta Salad

This seafood spaghetti pasta salad combines chilled spaghetti, tender shrimp, flaky salmon, crisp cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, family gatherings, or meal prep, it is a refreshing seafood dish served cold.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 persons
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb spaghetti noodles
  • 1 lb medium to large shrimp, cooked, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
  • 1 lb cooked salmon, flaked into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large cucumber, cut into large chunks with the skin on
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 medium red onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
  • 1 tbsp seafood seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Colander
  • large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon or salad tongs
  • knife and cutting board
  • Plastic wrap or airtight lid

Method
 

  1. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse well under cold water to cool completely.
  2. If needed, cook the shrimp and salmon until fully cooked. Let the seafood cool completely, then gently flake the salmon into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Cut the cucumber into large chunks, halve the cherry tomatoes, and dice the red onion.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti, shrimp, salmon, cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion.
  5. Pour the Italian dressing over the salad. Sprinkle with the seafood seasoning, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Gently toss until the seafood, vegetables, and spaghetti are evenly coated with the dressing and seasonings.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, so the flavors blend together.
  8. Give the seafood spaghetti pasta salad one final toss before serving. Serve cold as a light lunch, side dish, or easy seafood dinner.

Notes

Cook the spaghetti only until al dente so it stays firm after chilling.
Rinse the drained pasta thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely.
Allow the shrimp and salmon to cool before combining them with the pasta and vegetables.
Fold the salmon in gently so the bite-sized pieces remain intact.
Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to suit your preferred spice level.
Chill the salad for at least 2 hours so the flavors blend together.
The salad may be refrigerated overnight before serving.
Toss once more before serving to redistribute the dressing and seasonings.