Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Shrimp & Pasta Shells Salad – And They (incorrectly) Called It Macaroni

I really wanted to call this a "macaroni salad," since that’s what people sitting around picnic tables call it, but I decided to be technically correct (for once) and call it a shrimp and pasta shells salad. Hey, I'm no slave to Google's algorithm.

Macaroni is a specific type of elbow-shaped pasta, so while all macaroni is pasta, not all pasta is macaroni. Raise your hand if you missed that one on your SAT. Anyway, now that I have enough “macaroni’s” in here for the search engines, we can move on.

Actually, there’s not a lot left to discuss. This is a very straightforward, and quite adaptable recipe. I list a few potential additions in the video, but this is the kind of thing you can really make your own. Hey, you could even do it with macaroni. I hope you give this easy, and crowd-pleasing summer salad a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for 8 portions:
For the dressing:
1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp ketchup
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 lemon, juiced
1 tsp salt, or to taste
cayenne to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
The rest:
12-oz package pasta shells
1 pound bay shrimp, or other small cooked shrimp, drained well
1/2 cup small diced red bell pepper
3/4 cup diced celery
salt and pepper to taste

View the complete recipe

28 comments:

cookinmom said...

Mannn...I've got dill pesto to put in this!!! Oh yea!

Grams Pam said...

Thanks! You just solved 2 issues for me at once: picnic with the family on the 4th so using a double of this recipe to tame the tarragon plant that has grown crazy-wild this year.

Tatiana said...

How do you cook the shrimp? Can the shrimp be bought in the store pre-cooked?

Aaron said...

I really enjoyed this! I did a paleo version and I just could not get enough.

Thank you, Chef John!

Chef John said...

yes, the Bay shrimp and little shrimp I used are sold cooked and frozen. You can just boil raw ones in salted water and rinse in cold water.

Anonymous said...

Just think, Chef John. By 2031, most, if not all of the "can I add...";"can I substitute..."; AND the ever popular "where can I find..." inquiries will Finally stop;);)

Unknown said...

This recipe is a winner. It's so versatile. This video made my mouth water! Thanks again Chef John.

Unknown said...

Definitely going to try this one. About the pasta water; I use about one Tablespoon Kosher salt in an eight quart pot...is that enough?

Chef John said...

Depends how much water you add, but I use about 2.

Hollis K. Lee said...

Thanks so much

Unknown said...

Boiled my shrimp with lemons garlic onion and a little cayenne...very good dish!!

Unknown said...

"Spatulate"...Love it.

Unknown said...

I just made this for my 4th of July cookout and gave out samples. It barely made it to the fridge. Very tasty. I made a few minor adjustments (I added tarragon and less mayo) and added cherry tomatoes. Yummy taste and super easy to make. Thanks, Chef John!

Kurt said...

I followed the recipe exactly, it is really really good. I have made a similar dish, but it did not have the Dijon, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in the Mayonnaise. Those add crucial subtle flavor. Thanks again Chef John for another yummy recipe.

Toshiko Suisei said...

Dear Chef John, Thanks for the pretty pasta salad recipe. I halved the recipe and it made about 8 servings. I diced orange and yellow bell pepper strips from the salad bar; very pretty presentation. I used little salad shrimp and could barely taste them or even feel them in my mouth, but they looked good lol. Next time I'll lightly marinate them before incorporating.

Julia C. said...

Chef John,

My husband and I are such huge fans of yours. You have made us the stars of many a dinner party! We made this last night for a gathering and it was A-Mazing! I had a ball of fresh mozzarella on hand and cubed that up and threw it in at the last minute, it was fab! Thanks for all the fun you add to cooking!

Katherine said...

Made this last night, it was amazing, even my friend enjoyed and demanded the recipe. Thanks

greedy cooks said...

yum, the shells are the perfect little bags to hold all the veggies and mayo. Will try shells next time.

Chef J. you should check the ingredients list on my (my grandmas) version of "Macaroni" salad. actually using macaroni lol its sooooo yummy

http://greedygirlcooks.blogspot.com/2013/07/docs-macaroni-salad.html

Princess Feef said...

i added wayyy too much mustard ,, now i dont know how to correct it ,, and am not a big fan of mayo either :(

CAROLYN said...

love this recipe, thanks so much, have made it multiple times this summer!

Russell Lewis said...

I have to try this...
I does, however, drive me crazy that you put the shrimp and pasta in a bowl and add the dressing. AKKK, why dirty another bowl... throw the shrimp and pasta into the bowl that already has the dressing in it.

Chef John said...

If I wasn't filming, I'd do it your way.

Troop 338 said...

It is another hit dish I made for my family - they loved it! (All the dishes I tried so far by Chef John were hit!)

Unknown said...

Chef John, you have become my 'go to' person for cooking. Wonderful recipes, great visuals and commentary bayou are so very much appreciated. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Shells came in 16 oz but used all, but still came out amazing. Dressing is so full flavored it can be lightly coated IMO.

aijiko said...

I used this to good effect with chicken and chives instead of shrimp and dill. 'Cause, you know, it's what I had. Oh, and I added peas, cause I could.

Michael Poulin said...

Chef, my daughter hates mayo but I really want to try this one at home. Any suggestions on my mayo problem?

Chef John said...

Sorry, but without mayo, this is a completely different salad! I'd try something else.