Fresh Caesar Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe: A Zesty Summer Treat

Summer’s heat calls for a mouthwatering pasta salad with shrimp and Caesar dressing that promises refreshing flavors and easy preparation.

Cool, zesty ingredients dance together in this vibrant dish, creating a perfect meal for relaxed afternoons.

Succulent shrimp blend seamlessly with crisp pasta and tangy Caesar dressing, delivering an irresistible combination of textures.

Each forkful bursts with Mediterranean-inspired brightness and satisfying protein.

The recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for impromptu gatherings or quick weeknight dinners.

Chilled and packed with robust flavors, this salad delivers a delightful culinary experience you’ll want to savor again and again.

Get ready to elevate your summer dining with this simple yet spectacular seafood sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need for Shrimp Pasta Caesar Salad

• Small Dried Pasta (Lumachine): Provides the hearty foundation, choose compact shapes that capture dressing perfectly.
• Hard-Boiled Eggs: Adds protein and creamy texture, select fresh eggs for best flavor.

• Yellow Bell Pepper: Brings bright color and sweet crisp notes, pick firm peppers with vibrant yellow hue.
• Red Onion: Delivers sharp zesty undertones, select smaller onions for milder taste.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Introduces juicy bursts of freshness, choose ripe, deeply colored varieties.

• Mozzarella, Cooked Shrimp: Creates luxurious texture and maritime richness, select high-quality fresh seafood and soft cheese.
• Frozen Parsley: Enhances herbal brightness, ensure it's finely chopped for even distribution.

• Lemon Juice, Garlic, Anchovy Fillets: Builds tangy, umami-rich base, use fresh garlic and high-quality anchovy for depth.
• Hard-Boiled Egg, Parmesan, Mustard: Provides creamy, tangy binding elements, choose aged Parmesan for intense flavor.
• Olive Oil, Light Cream: Creates smooth, silky consistency, select extra virgin olive oil.
• Sea Salt, Freshly Ground Pepper: Balances and elevates overall taste, use fresh-ground pepper for maximum aroma.

Tools for Caesar Shrimp Pasta

• Blender: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy Caesar dressing.
• Large salad bowl: Perfect for mixing and tossing all ingredients together.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables, herbs, and eggs.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise dicing and slicing ingredients.
• Colander: Helps drain pasta and rinse it under cold water.
• Measuring cups/spoons: Ensures accurate dressing and ingredient measurements.
• Pot: Used for boiling pasta to al dente perfection.
• Wooden spoon or tongs: Great for stirring pasta and mixing salad ingredients.

Instructions for Caesar Dressing Pasta Salad

Seafood Pasta Symphony

• Pasta Preparation

Boil pasta until tender, then cool it down with a quick cold water rinse. Transfer the pasta to a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring each noodle is ready to absorb delicious flavors.

• Flavor Explosion

Create a zesty Caesar sauce by blending garlic, lemon, anchovy, egg, Parmesan, and cream until silky smooth. Let the sauce chill and develop its rich personality in the refrigerator.

• Colorful Composition

Combine cooled pasta with vibrant bell peppers, sweet cherry tomatoes, crunchy red onions, tender shrimp, and creamy mozzarella. Sprinkle fresh parsley to add a burst of color and fragrance.

• Dressing Magic

Drizzle the chilled Caesar sauce over the pasta mixture, gently tossing to ensure every ingredient gets a luxurious coating. The goal is a harmonious blend where no single component overpowers another.

• Final Flourish

Top the salad with extra shrimp, creating an elegant presentation. Refrigerate for an hour, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle, transforming a simple dish into a culinary masterpiece.

Tips for Shrimp, Caesar, and Pasta Combinations

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Seafood Swap: Replace shrimp with grilled chicken, canned tuna, or crispy bacon for a different protein profile that keeps the salad exciting and versatile.
• Pasta Power: Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or penne that hold dressing better and create more interesting texture than traditional long noodles.
• Veggie Boost: Add roasted zucchini, grilled asparagus, or crisp cucumber for extra crunch and nutritional value without disrupting the salad's delicate balance.
• Spice Adventure: Sprinkle red pepper flakes, add a dash of smoked paprika, or include sliced jalapeños for those who enjoy a zesty kick in their pasta salad.
• Lighter Dressing Hack: For a healthier version, substitute half the cream with Greek yogurt or use a lighter mayonnaise to reduce calories while maintaining creamy consistency.

How to Serve Shrimp Caesar Pasta Salad

• Summer Picnic Perfection: Serve this vibrant pasta salad in a large glass bowl to showcase the colorful ingredients and create a stunning visual presentation.
• Beach Party Companion: Pack individual portions in mason jars for a portable and elegant meal that's perfect for outdoor gatherings, beach days, or poolside lunches.
• Elegant Appetizer Twist: Transform the salad into bite-sized appetizers by serving small portions in cute martini glasses or on small plates with a single shrimp and a sprinkle of parsley as a garnish.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the creamy Caesar dressing and seafood with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio to enhance the overall dining experience.

Shrimp Caesar Salad: Prep & Storage Details

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store this pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep the dressing separate if possible to maintain the crispness of vegetables and prevent soggy textures.
• Advance Prep Magic: Chop vegetables and cook shrimp a day ahead to streamline your meal preparation. The dressing can be made 48 hours in advance, which helps develop deeper flavor profiles and saves precious cooking time.
• Freezing Considerations: Not recommended for freezing due to the creamy Caesar dressing and delicate shrimp. Fresh ingredients are best enjoyed within their optimal freshness window for maximum taste and texture.
• Portion Control Trick: Divide the salad into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. This method helps maintain portion sizes and ensures a quick, delicious meal during busy workdays or picnic outings.

Zesty Pasta Salad

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crisp romaine lettuce mingles with succulent shrimp in this Caesar pasta salad, creating a light Mediterranean-inspired dish. Fresh parmesan and herbed croutons complete classic flavors you’ll savor eagerly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 250 g (8.8 oz) small dried pasta (lumachine)
• 100 g (3.5 oz) cooked, peeled shrimp
• 125 g (4.4 oz) mozzarella, diced
• 35 g (1.2 oz) grated parmesan
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• ½ red onion, finely sliced
• 100 g (3.5 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 tbsp chopped frozen parsley
• 40 g (1.4 oz) lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic
• 6 anchovy fillets in oil
• 20 g (0.7 oz) mustard
• 30 g (1 oz) olive oil
• 110 g (3.9 oz) light cream (4% fat)
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 pinch of sea salt

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil pasta in heavily salted water until achieving al dente perfection, then rapidly cool in an ice bath to preserve texture. Thoroughly drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
2. Dressing Creation: Blend lemon juice, roasted garlic, anchovy paste, hardboiled egg, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, cracked pepper, sea salt, and heavy cream until transforming into a velvety, homogeneous sauce.
3. Vegetable and Protein Composition: Meticulously dice yellow bell pepper, julienne red onion, halve cherry tomatoes, and finely chop fresh parsley. Cube mozzarella into precise pieces and slice most shrimp, reserving whole specimens for garnish.
4. Ingredient Integration: Thoroughly combine pasta with prepared vegetables, mozzarella, parsley, and sliced shrimp, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the mixture.
5. Dressing Application: Cascade the artisan Caesar dressing over the salad, gently folding to coat ingredients without compromising their structural integrity.
6. Presentation and Chilling: Strategically position whole shrimp atop the salad for visual drama. Refrigerate for 60-90 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and develop complexity.
7. Final Refinement: Prior to serving, delicately redistribute the dressing with a gentle toss, guaranteeing optimal flavor melding and consistent seasoning.

Notes

• Salting Pasta Water: Use generously salted water to enhance pasta’s natural flavor and ensure proper seasoning throughout the dish.
• Chill Pasta Quickly: Immediately transfer pasta to an ice bath after cooking to stop the cooking process and maintain a perfect al dente texture.
• Dressing Consistency: Blend Caesar dressing ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, silky texture that coats ingredients evenly without clumping.
• Flavor Marination: Refrigerate the salad for 60-90 minutes to allow ingredients to mingle and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg