Shrimp Macaroni Salad is the perfect dish for those looking to add a little seafood flair to their summer gatherings. This creamy salad combines tender macaroni pasta with juicy, succulent shrimp, crisp veggies, and a tangy dressing that’s both refreshing and satisfying. It’s an easy-to-make, flavorful salad that’s great for picnics, barbecues, or as a side for any casual meal.
To make this delicious salad, start by boiling macaroni pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely.
Next, cook your shrimp by boiling or sautéing them until they’re pink and fully cooked—this usually takes just a few minutes. Once the shrimp are done, chop them into bite-sized pieces. For an extra boost of flavor, you can season the shrimp with a little garlic powder, lemon juice, or Old Bay seasoning.
For the dressing, combine mayonnaise, a tablespoon of Dijon mustard, a bit of lemon juice, and a touch of vinegar. Stir until smooth, then season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika for extra flavor. If you like a little crunch, you can mix in finely diced celery or bell peppers.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shrimp, and any veggies you want to add (such as peas, diced onions, or bell peppers). Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss everything together until evenly coated. Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Shrimp Macaroni Salad is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a main course. It’s the perfect addition to any summer meal, offering the combination of creamy, tangy flavors and the satisfying bite of shrimp. Whether you’re enjoying it at a family picnic or serving it at a barbecue, this salad is sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni cooked and drained
- 1 cup shrimp cooked and peeled
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup celery chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion finely diced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, shrimp, celery, and red onion.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture and toss until well coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
I can’t cook but this seems easy. I might give it a shot.
I made this for a gathering and everyone loved it! Will make again for sure.
I don’t like shrimp but I tried it with chicken, still pretty good!
This salad was a hit at my BBQ! So creamy and flavorful! I’m definitely making it again.
Wow, that sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it at my next gathering!
Shrimp and macaroni? sounds weird but surprisingly it works!
It was alright, but I don’t think shrimp and pasta go together well. Not my fav.
I think shrimp and pasta can be great together! Maybe you just need to try a different sauce next time.
I dunno, I like shrimp with my noodles, but this salad ain’t my cup of tea either.
Yummy!! I added some chili flakes for a kick. So delicious!
I found this recipe to be too rich for my taste. Maybe less mayo next time?
I think there’s too much mayo! It overpowers everything. Next time I’ll use less.
not tasty.. my kids hated it! Do kids even like shrimp? I don’t know!
Ew, shrimp in salad? That’s just wrong! Who eats that?!
I totally disagree! Shrimp in salad is delicious! You should try it before judging!
Delicious!!!
I love this salad! It’s perfect for summer BBQs.
This is so refreshing! I love the combination of shrimp and macaroni. Perfect for summer.
Yummy! My kids loved it! Even my picky eater. Success! 🌟
That’s awesome to hear! I love when kids find new favorites! 🥳
Wait, shrimp in macaroni salad? Kinda weird, dontcha think?
Great recipe! Used crab instead of shrimp ’cause I had it on hand. Still delicious! 🙂
Simple and quick to make! I even threw in some peas and corn. Delish!
I added a bit of garlic powder to mine and loved it! So good! 5 stars from me!
Garlic powder? Sounds interesting! I usually use fresh garlic, but I’m gonna try your trick next time! Thx for sharing!
I just put some extra spices, turned out nice, so that’s a plus!
So good! But next time I would use little more lemon juice.
I agree! A bit more lemon really brightens it up! 🍋
More lemon? Huh, I thought it was perfect as is. 🤷♂️
I dunno, it was just alright. A bit bland for my taste. 3/5
I thought it was amazing! A little tangy and perfect for summer picnics. Maybe you just need to adjust the seasoning to your taste!
i cant cook shrimp, they always turn out rubbery. no offense but i won’t be making this.
Isn’t this just a fancy way of saying tuna salad? Just wondering…
Kinda, but it’s way more than just tuna. You got shrimp and all the fresh veggies! Perfect for summer!
I dont know about the lemon juice…maybe too sour? Idk. But my kids gobble it up. So…
I was worried about the lemon too, but it really balances out the flavors! Glad your kids like it.
This salad is a hit at every picnic! Super easy to make and sooo yummy! My whole fam loved it!
I followed it mostly, but I added a little dill and a splash more lemon. Still super good. Next time I’ll dice the onion a bit smaller.
Huh, I’m not sure about dill with shrimp… but if you liked it, who cares. I probably wouldn’t chill it that long though—like 20 mins is enough for me.
Love that you tweaked it! Dill + extra lemon actually sounds like it would brighten everything up. And yeah, dicing the onion smaller helps with the bites—nice tip.
The flavors melded nicely after chilling. However, the dressing felt a tad thick for my taste, so I might add a tablespoon of mayo or lemon next time (not sure which).
Hmm I disagree—thicker dressing is what makes it stick to the pasta. If you add mayo or lemon, do a little at a time. I once added too much lemon and it tasted like salad dressing straight up.
Totally agree—mine got a bit thick too. I usually loosen it with a splash more lemon juice (or even a little pickle juice) and it turns out perfect. 🦐
Is shrimp really necessary? Just tastes like mayo to me?? What’s the point if you can’t even taste the shrimp?
Too much salt – I would cut down next time.
I think the salt is fine, but everyone’s taste is different! Maybe try using less if you’re sensitive to it.
Shrimp is seafood, which shouldn’t be mixed with pasta! But I respect your choice. 🤷♂️
Why do you have to chill it? Can’t I eat it right away? 🤔
Chilling helps the flavors blend better! But if you’re hungry, just dig in! 😄
My grandma would never make this! She say shrimp doesn’t belong in salad! 😂
Why do you even put shrimp in a macaroni salad? Sounds weird.
Yum! But the shrimp make it expensive to make. Can I substitute with chicken?
Mmmm, this is so good! Better than grandma’s recipe, no joke!
Ugh, this was a total disaster. The mayo was just too much for me. Never again!
I didn’t have shrimp, so I used chicken – still came out great!
I think chicken would work just fine! Glad it turned out well for you. 🍽️
I was skeptical about shrimp in a macaroni salad, but it actually turned out pretty good. Just a bit too salty for my taste.
Really? Who puts shrimp in mac salad? Sounds weird to me. I think I’ll stick to tuna or just plain.
This salad was a hit at my picnic! Everyone loved it. Will make again!
Easy recipe. I used pre-cooked shrimp and it was basically done in no time. The onion/celery ratio is on point.