Description
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Salad is a bright, refreshing dish perfect for any occasion. It features juicy shrimp sautéed with fragrant garlic, combined with tender rotini or bowtie pasta, fresh herbs, and cherry tomatoes. Tossed in a zesty lemon and apple cider vinegar dressing with a subtle savory note from vegetarian Worcestershire sauce and enhanced by a natural gelling agent for a pleasant mouthfeel, this salad offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is ideal for lunches, dinners, or picnics and can be easily customized to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Pasta
- 12 oz fresh or frozen small shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
Dressing
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp natural gelling agent
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salad Mix
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp if necessary. Heat a bit of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add the minced garlic, then sauté the shrimp until they turn pink and opaque, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), minced garlic, olive oil, natural gelling agent, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined and light but flavorful.
- Toss the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld beautifully. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing meal.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta; it should remain slightly firm to hold up with the dressing.
- Adjust the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar to balance acidity according to your taste.
- Chill the salad to enhance flavors without freezing to preserve texture.
- Add fresh herbs last to maintain their vibrant color and aroma.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: Shrimp pasta salad, lemon garlic shrimp, refreshing pasta salad, easy shrimp salad, gluten free pasta salad