Crab Aroni Salad

Creamy, refreshing, and packed with flavor, this Crab Aroni Salad is the ultimate side dish for potlucks, barbecues, or casual dinners. Featuring tender elbow macaroni, sweet and flaky crab meat (imitation or fresh), and crunchy veggies like celery, red bell pepper, and red onion, this salad delivers a delightful medley of textures in every bite. The zesty dressing, made from a blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh dill, and a splash of lemon juice, ties everything together with a bright, tangy finish. Ready in just 30 minutes (plus chilling time), this make-ahead crab pasta salad is an easy and crowd-pleasing recipe that’s perfect for summer gatherings or quick lunches. Sprinkle with paprika for a vibrant garnish, and serve it chilled for the ultimate creamy and satisfying side!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 pound imitation crab meat (or fresh crab meat, shredded)
• 1 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
• 0.5 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water until cool. Set aside.

Step 2

While the macaroni cools, prepare the other ingredients. Finely chop the celery, red bell pepper, and red onion. Shred the crab meat if it is not already shredded.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, dill, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 4

Add the cooked macaroni, crab meat, celery, red bell pepper, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated.

Step 5

Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper, if needed.

Step 6

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. This step is key for the best flavor!

Step 7

Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and sprinkle with paprika for a pop of color, if desired.

Step 8

Serve chilled and enjoy your delicious Crab Aroni Salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1395.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3278.2

Total Fat 202.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 383.5mg	0%
Sodium 5752.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 299.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.0g	0%
Total Sugars 55.3g
Protein 70.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 300.8mg	0%
Iron 10.5mg	0%
Potassium 1407.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.2%

Protein: 8.6%

Carbs: 36.3%