Need a fast and easy meal to cool the body down in these hot temperatures? I’m talking about my delightfully flavorful Easy Spicy Shrimp Pasta Salad. This recipe is quick to make and perfect on a hot summer night.
This salad brings a cool heat to the table as the salad is tossed in a homemade spicy ranch dressing. The dressing is cool and creamy at first taste then a sprinkle of heat creeps in. There is a bit of crunch from chopped vegetables and soft pasta. The bites of shrimp bring this salad together that’s perfect for home or a gathering.
Easy Spicy Shrimp Pasta Salad
I think of this pasta salad as I do summer like summer on a plate. The flavors are shiny and bright with a bit of attitude from the dressing. The fresh shrimp something I had on hand and said why not add them to the mix.
You could use chicken, lobster or crab instead of shrimp if desired. This salad is also great without the addition of protein of any kind and serve as side salads.
The homemade spicy ranch dressing is delicious as well as addictive. Buttermilk, sour cream and mayonnaise along with other herbs and seasonings make this homemade dressing satisfying and irresistible.
Give the spicy ranch dressing a try as a dip with chips especially Lays Sour Cream and Cheddar potato chips. Hey, I’m just saying!
Easy Spicy Shrimp Pasta Salad
What do I need to make this pasta salad recipe? You’ll need for salad:
- rotini pasta (penne or bowtie can be used)
- black beans
- sweet corn kernels
- red and yellow bell pepper
- black olives
- green onions
- cherry or grape tomatoes
- cooked shrimp
- cilantro
What do I need to make the homemade dressing? You’ll need:
- mayonnaise
- sour cream
- buttermilk
- dill weed
- dried parsley
- dried chives
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- Sazonador Total seasoning
- ground chipotle pepper
- smoked paprika
- jalapeno pepper powder
- sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- white vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Now that you know what you need to make this great summer pasta salad, let’s put it all together. It’s bound to leave you wanting more.
Easy Spicy Shrimp Pasta Salad
First, gather all your ingredients including those which needed prepping in advance, a wide mouth pint mason jar, a large mixing bowl, a large spoon and any other utensils you think you may need.
Next, in a pint-size mason jar, preferably wide mouth, add in mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk followed by remaining ingredients. Place lid on jar and shake until well combined. You may use a small whisk to also blend ingredients. Adjust seasonings to taste, cover and chill while you put together the shrimp pasta salad.
Now we’ll proceed with making the scrumptious salad this spicy ranch dressing goes on.
Last, in your large mixing bowl, add cooked pasta, black beans, corn kernels, bell pepper, black olives, green onion, tomatoes, and shrimp and mix to combine. Gradually add enough dressing to just coat the pasta salad. Chill until ready to serve. Bring to room temperature and stir in more dressing and chopped cilantro as desired.
Yes, you will have some of this delicious dressing leftover yet like I mentioned before this dressing is a fantastic dip with veggies and chips. Don’t let it go to waste as it last at least a week in the refrigerator.
My Easy Spicy Shrimp Pasta Salad is totally customizable to your taste. Feel free to add or omit any ingredients in the recipe to make it your own. That’s the fun part of making salads.
Easy Spicy Shrimp Pasta Salad
This salad sounds delicious and it is. Makes great lunches or light dinners. Salads are perfect to take to any gathering. Bound to become a new favorite for sure. This salad just works!
Choose your favorite pasta and check to see what you already have on hand. Penne, bowtie, or similar size pasta will work in the salad.
The taste of fresh corn adds a hint of sweetness, onions add freshness, tomatoes add sweet and savory notes, and the dressing adds coolness, a bit of heat and herby creaminess. I have no doubt you can come up with other uses for the spicy ranch dressing. It’s a keeper.
Easy Spicy Shrimp Pasta Salad
If you make this recipe, like or leave a comment below, @michelleheyden, @chowdownlowdown, or #chowdownlowdown. Enjoy!
Easy Spicy Shrimp Pasta Salad
2 cups dry rotini pasta, cooked, rinsed and drained (about 4 cups cooked)
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup fresh sweet corn kernels, blanched (frozen can be used)
1/2 red and 1/2 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
2.25 oz. can sliced black olives (1/2 cup)
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
12 – 14 large cooked shrimp, tail removed, cut into 3 pieces
Chopped cilantro (add-in or garnish), optional
Homemade Spicy Ranch Dressing:
1/2 cup each mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk
1 t. dill weed
1/2 t. dried parsley
3/4 t. dried chives
1/2 t. each onion powder and garlic powder
1/2 t. Sazonador Total seasoning
3/4 t. ground chipotle pepper
1/2 t. smoked paprika
1/2 t. jalapeno pepper powder
1/4 t. sea salt
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
2 – 3 t. fresh lemon juice
How to prepare salad dressing:
In a pint mason jar, add in dressing ingredients and whisk together. Place lid on jar and refrigerate until needed. Dressing will last up to one week.
If you’re not a fan of spicy heat, start with 1/4 t. of chipotle and jalapeno powder. The dressing has a refreshing kick but not overly hot. The pepper powders and paprika can be omitted for regular ranch dressing. You be the judge and adapt to your liking.
How to prepare pasta salad:
In a large mixing or serving bowl, simply add in all salad ingredients and mix gently with large spoon.
Pour and stir in enough dressing to lightly coat pasta salad. Refrigerate and cover salad for at least 1 hour before serving.
Before serving, stir in more ranch dressing as desired and serve.
Give the pasta salad a sprinkle of smoked paprika for color. Enjoy!
Makes about 4 – 6 servings.
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