This delightful shrimp and pasta shell salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish perfect for warm weather. Combining tender pasta shells with succulent shrimp, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon dressing, this salad is both flavorful and easy to prepare. Whether served chilled or at room temperature, it's an ideal choice for picnics, potlucks, or a light dinner.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are commonly found in most kitchens, you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Fresh shrimp is essential for the best flavor and texture, so look for peeled and deveined options to save time. Additionally, cherry tomatoes and fresh parsley might not be staples in every home, but they add vibrant color and freshness to the dish.

Ingredients For Shrimp And Pasta Shell Salad
Pasta shells: The base of the salad, providing a hearty and chewy texture.
Shrimp: Adds a succulent and slightly sweet flavor, cooked until pink and opaque.
Cherry tomatoes: Halved for a burst of juicy sweetness and vibrant color.
Cucumber: Diced for a refreshing crunch and mild flavor.
Red onion: Finely chopped to add a sharp, tangy bite.
Olive oil: Used in the dressing to add richness and a smooth texture.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to provide a zesty and bright flavor in the dressing.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the salad.
Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the dressing.
Fresh parsley: Chopped and used as a garnish for a fresh, herbaceous note.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When cooking pasta shells, make sure to salt the water generously. This enhances the flavor of the pasta itself, providing a better base for the salad. For the shrimp, avoid overcooking by keeping an eye on the color change; they should turn pink and opaque but still be tender. To ensure even distribution of the dressing, whisk it thoroughly until emulsified before pouring it over the pasta mixture. This helps the olive oil and lemon juice blend seamlessly, coating every ingredient evenly.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
uncooked pasta shells - Substitute with uncooked rotini: Rotini has a similar texture and will hold the dressing well.
peeled and deveined shrimp - Substitute with cooked chicken breast: Chicken breast provides a similar protein content and can be diced to match the shrimp's size.
halved cherry tomatoes - Substitute with diced red bell pepper: Red bell pepper adds a similar color and crunch to the salad.
diced cucumber - Substitute with diced zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and mild flavor that complements the salad.
finely chopped red onion - Substitute with finely chopped green onion: Green onion provides a milder onion flavor that can be more palatable for some.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a neutral flavor.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar adds a similar acidity and brightness to the salad.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.
chopped fresh parsley - Substitute with chopped fresh cilantro: Cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous note that complements the other ingredients.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Salad
How to Store or Freeze This Salad
- To store the shrimp and pasta shell salad, transfer it to an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
- Place the container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days. For best results, consume within this time frame.
- If you plan to freeze the salad, it's best to do so without the cucumber and cherry tomatoes. These vegetables can become watery and lose their texture when thawed.
- To freeze, place the pasta and shrimp mixture in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the container with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long it has been stored.
- When ready to use, thaw the salad in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, add fresh cucumber and cherry tomatoes before serving.
- For optimal taste, refresh the salad with a bit more lemon juice and olive oil dressing after thawing. This will help revive the flavors.
- Always check the salad for any off smells or changes in texture before consuming, especially if it has been stored for an extended period.
How to Reheat Leftovers
For a quick and easy method, use the microwave:
- Place the shrimp and pasta shell salad in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small corner open to vent.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Check the temperature and heat in additional 30-second intervals if needed, until warmed through.
For a more even reheating, use the stovetop:
- Add a splash of olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the shrimp and pasta shell salad to the skillet.
- Stir frequently to prevent sticking and to heat the salad evenly.
- Cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the shrimp and pasta are warmed through.
For a gentle reheating method, use the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the shrimp and pasta shell salad in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the salad is heated through.
- Stir halfway through the reheating process to ensure even warming.
For a fresh and vibrant option, serve it cold:
- Simply take the shrimp and pasta shell salad out of the refrigerator.
- Allow it to sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.
- Toss gently to redistribute the dressing and flavors before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to boil water for cooking the pasta shells and shrimp.
Colander: Essential for draining the cooked pasta shells and shrimp.
Large mixing bowl: Ideal for combining the cooked pasta, shrimp, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
Small bowl: Perfect for whisking together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Whisk: Used to mix the dressing ingredients thoroughly.
Chef's knife: Necessary for chopping the cucumber, red onion, and parsley.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables and herbs.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and olive oil accurately.
Measuring spoons: Essential for measuring the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper precisely.
Tongs: Handy for tossing the pasta salad to ensure even coating of the dressing.
Serving spoon: Useful for serving the finished shrimp and pasta shell salad.
How to Save Time on Making This Salad
Cook pasta in advance: Prepare the pasta shells a day ahead and store them in the fridge to save time on the day of serving.
Use pre-cooked shrimp: Buy pre-cooked shrimp from the store to skip the boiling step entirely.
Pre-chop vegetables: Dice the cucumber and chop the red onion in advance to streamline the assembly process.
Make dressing ahead: Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper and store it in a jar for quick use.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and store leftovers for quick meals throughout the week.

Shrimp and Pasta Shell Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta shells uncooked
- 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- 1. Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- 2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- 3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shrimp, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- 4. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- 5. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- 6. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve chilled or at room temperature.
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