Home » Sides » Shrimp Macaroni Salad with Old Bay

Shrimp Macaroni Salad with Old Bay

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Seafood lovers will fight over this flavorful twist on macaroni salad. Add any cooked seafood you'd like.

With Old Bay seasoning and shrimp, this recipe gives a flavorful twist on the classic dish. It’s perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. You’ll love the creamy dressing and fresh veggies in this macaroni salad.

finished macaroni salad with shrimp and cucumber.

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Just enough veggies. The cukes and onions add flavor and crunch
  • The Old Bay! Old. Bay is so delicious in just about everything but especially perfect in this dish.
  • Make ahead dish. This salad is perfect for making ahead of time. Just make sure to give it enough time to chill before serving.

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

ingredients in small bowls on counter

Here’s what you’ll need to make this creamy side dish.

  • mayonnaise
  • sugar
  • black pepper
  • Old Bay Seasoning
  • elbow pasta, slightly undercooked
  • diced fresh cucumber
  • diced red bell pepper
  • diced red onion
  •  cooked mini shrimp

🍴Instructions

Step One: Make the dressing

dressing for salad in blue bowl.

Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, salt, black pepper, and Old Bay in a small bowl.

Step Two: Add the pasta, veggies, and shrimp

macaroni salad with veggies on top.

Cook the pasta and let it cool. Put it in a big bowl and add the dressing. Add the veggies and shrimp and stir well.

Step three: chill

close up view of shrimp in pasta salad.

Let the macaroni chill for a few hours.

🥫 Storage instructions


This recipe is perfect for making ahead of time, but give it enough time to chill before serving. The salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.

🔍 FAQs

Can I add more seafood?

Yes! You can add any cooked seafood you like. Crab, lobster, and scallops would all be great in this salad.

Is Old Bay Seasoning necessary for this recipe?

No, but it does give the salad a nice flavor. If you don’t have Old Bay on hand, you can use any other seasoning blend that you like.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

  • Use cooked, cooled pasta. Slightly undercook it, as it will soften as it sits in the fridge.
  • Don’t forget to chill. This salad is best when it’s cold, so make sure to give it enough time to chill before serving.

📘 Related Recipes

🍽 Serve it with

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📖 Here’s the recipe

close up view of macaroni with shrimp.
4.55 from 11 votes

Shrimp and Old Bay Macaroni Salad

Print Recipe
Seafood lovers will fight over this flavorful twist on macaroni salad. Add any cooked seafood you'd like.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:7 minutes
Chilling time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 27 minutes
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Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
  • 8 ounces elbow pasta (half a box) slightly undercooked
  • ½ cup diced fresh cucumber
  • ½ cup diced red bell pepper
  • ½ cup diced red onion
  • 1 cup cooked mini shrimp

Instructions

  • Make the dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, salt, black pepper, and Old Bay in a small mixing bowl.
  • Add the pasta, veggies, and shrimp. Place the cooked, cooled pasta in a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing on top. Add the veggies and shrimp and stir well.
  • Chill. Let the macaroni chill for at least 2 hours. Serve cold.

Notes

I cook the macaroni for 1 minute less than the box recommends.
You can find mini-cooked shrimp in the freezer section.  If you can’t find them, just chop up regular-sized shrimp.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: seafood macaroni salad, shrimp macaroni salad
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Katie Shaw
Did you make this recipe?If you loved it, please leave a review!
1K Shares

8 thoughts on “Shrimp Macaroni Salad with Old Bay”

  1. 5 stars
    Wonderful, modernized take on a family favorite from the the 70s and beyond. Completely lost to time for me, yet your tweaks and clear improvements enticed enough to give it a try last night. Result: Both of our young adult sons (one foodie, the other def NOT), my agreeable husband, and my restaurant-crawlin’ self LOVED it, and we’re opinionated and not so easy to please these days. Thanks MUCH for one forgotten slice of childhood, my new-find fellow foodie. (Expert level, of course.) 💖

    Reply
    • 5 stars
      Adult ADD on full display, always… 🙄😑

      Please edit my review stars to show 5 out of 5. Not sure how I messed that one up so clearly, but “not sure” is a frustrating mainstay…

      Reply
    • 5 stars
      Random thoughts: 💯 Dig it! There really couldn’t be a better reply. That is, sadly, with an assumption of the writer’s ability to accept light-hearted banter in a society that’s fully lost its “humor” across all seven senses.

      P.S. Butt-hurt bone, however, is fully engaged and ready to roar 🦁 (aka “share”).

      Reply

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