Easy Crab and Corn Pasta Salad

Hot weather makes a good excuse for easy dinners and quick cool salads. Who wants to spend too much time in the kitchen when it's so nice to cook and eat outside. Throw some burgers or chicken on the grill and make a salad and you're done. But sometimes I want more than a green salad. I want pasta salad and this recipe is delicious. I found this one from Wine and Glue on Pinterest. I made it and loved it and thought it would be even better by adding fresh white corn. The sweetness of the crab and the white corn are perfect together and the dressing is amazing. I may have to make this dressing just to have on hand for my green salads. It may seem like a lot of dressing for the size of this salad, but it's not. The pasta absorbs a lot of the dressing while it sits in the refrigerator, so before serving add extra dressing and give it a good stir. Throw some chicken or ribs on the grill and you've got dinner!

Easy Crab and Corn Pasta Salad

Serves 6 (Slightly adapted recipe from Wine and Glue)

8 oz. small shell pasta, cooked
1 package imitation crab, chopped
1 cup of white corn kernels
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
small bunch of green onions, chopped
1/4 t celery seeds
1/4 t lemon pepper
kosher salt (to taste)

Dressing
1 1/2 cup yogurt, plain nonfat
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Italian dressing (I used Olive Garden Italian)
2 T Old Bay Seasoning 
1 T yellow mustard
1 T soy sauce

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Refrigerate until cooled completely. Prepare dressing and refrigerate. Prepare vegetables and add to the cool pasta and mix well. Add lemon pepper and celery seeds.

Add about half of the dressing and mix well. Chill in the fridge for a  minimum of 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Taste the pasta and add salt as needed. 
Note: The pasta will absorb some of the dressing, so add more dressing and stir before serving. Enjoy!

I like to keep imitation crab meat in my freezer. It's vacuum sealed and quick to thaw which makes for easy appetizers, a quick crab cake dinner, or a nice addition to green salads. Here are a few recipes to try.

Easy Crab Cakes

Crab and Mango Won Ton Cups