Summer means gatherings to me, and gatherings mean salads to me. Whether you are gathering with family, friends, neighbors, or strangers aka soon to be friends, this pasta salad should be a hit with just a few easy to find ingredients you can have a large bowl of creamy tasty goodness to share! I could not get enough of the creamy rich taste of this pasta salad. It was perfectly simple and tasty enough that I could have easily eaten the whole bowl.
This makes a large amount that is perfect to bring to a potluck. You can make it the morning of and it will be chilled by picnic time or even a day ahead. Look in the recipe notes for a couple of changes if you want to make it a day ahead of time!
You could also change this recipe up a bit by adding a cup diced cucumber and/ or 3/4 cup blue cheese crumbles.
A great cold pasta salad with crab
- 1 envelop Hidden Valley buttermilk dressing mix
- 1/2 cup light mayo
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup milk of choice
- 1 pound al dente cooked and cooled pasta of your choice (I like bowtie or rotini)
- 1/2 cup minced sweet onion such as vidalia
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
- 10 ounces crab diced or shredded (real or imitation)
- 1 tbsp minced fresh dill (if desired)
- salt and pepper to taste
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In large bowl add dressing ingredients and whisk until well combined.
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Mix in remaining ingredients (except salt and pepper). Taste, and add salt and pepper if needed. Refrigerate until well chilled.
You can make this pasta a day ahead of time with just a little change. The pasta soaks up the dressing as it chills and it may need a little extra dressing before serving if you make it a day in advance. I would make the dressing in a shaker bottle instead of in the bowl you are mixing the pasta in. Save 1/3 of the dressing when you mix it together. About an hour before serving, add a little milk to think out the saved dressing, shake well, pour over pasta salad and toss thoroughly.
As summer is coming to an end we wanted to share this with you in hopes that you can plan a lovely early fall picnic in the grass and enjoy good food and slow times with loved ones. We believe in the power of food to bring people together. I mean is there anything better than sharing a meal with a loved one, having a cold drink, and taking time out of your busy life to connect to the people that mean the most? We don’t believe there is, so try this recipe out the next time you want to take time to connect. You will be hooked.
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