This Prawn Pasta Salad is packed with colour, texture, flavour and nutrients, making it the perfect summer lunch. If you find salads really boring (like I do!), this recipe is a must!
I’ve been trying to branch out with my salads recently instead of just throwing some lettuce on a plate and covering it with dressing and cheese.
I’m trying to make my own fruity dressings and add different textures and ingredients.
While I freely admit that my chicken nugget and cheese pasta salad will probably always be my favourite, this prawn pasta salad, my chicken and bacon pasta salad and my chicken and halloumi with mango dressing are pretty awesome too.
*This post may contain affiliate links to products I find useful when making this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.*
This prawn pasta salad recipe uses lots of different colours and textures and a classic Marie Rose style dressing, which works perfectly with both prawns and pasta and means that you don’t need any fancy ingredients.
Ingredients for Prawn Pasta Salad
For this easy prawn pasta salad recipe, I use:
Cooked Prawns – I typically use a mixture of small and jumbo, but really any are fine.
Fusilli
Red Pepper – Different colours are great too.
Lettuce – I typically use cos or iceberg, but anything with a nice crunch works well.
Cucumber
Tomatoes – I use plum or cherry, chopped in half. If you use larger tomatoes, you might want to chop them up a little smaller.
For the Prawn Pasta Salad Dressing
I make a super simple Marie Rose style dressing with:
Mayo – Prawn pasta salad with mayo base is super easy and tasty.
Ketchup
Smoked Paprika
Henderson’s Relish – Other relish brands are fine too. But not as good!
Can You Use Frozen Prawns?
Yes, I usually use frozen cooked prawns and just get them out to defrost in the fridge the night before I have this salad for lunch.
Is This a Cold Prawn Pasta?
Yes. I typically use pre-cooked and peeled prawns. If chilled, you can just throw them in. If frozen, make sure they are fully defrosted first.
If you are using raw prawns, they will need to be cooked to packet instructions before eating.
Can You Use Different Pasta?
Yep, fusilli is great for salad because the dressing gets into the swirls, but anything that you like is fine.
Is This a Healthy Prawn Pasta Salad?
There’s a bit of mayo, but aside from that, it’s low fat while still being filling. If you are looking for a healthy prawn pasta salad, use low-fat mayo and switch to wholewheat pasta.
How to Make Prawn Pasta Salad – Step-by-Step
Salads should be easy. No one wants to spend hours preparing lunch. This simple prawn pasta salad definitely is!
Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step One
Cook the pasta according to packet instructions, drain, rinse in cold water and set to one side.
If you are using raw prawns, cook these too.
Step Two
Shred the lettuce, slice the cucumber and chop the tomatoes.
Step Two
Place in a large mixing bowl.
Step Three
Add the pasta and the prawns.
Step Four
In a small bowl or jug, mix together the ketchup, mayo, relish and smoked paprika.
Step Five
Pour the dressing into the bowl with the lettuce, prawns and pasta and toss together well.
Step Six
Serve straight away, dividing the salad between two large bowls or plates.
What to Serve with this Simple Prawn Pasta Salad
I typically serve this prawn pasta salad with mayo as it is. It’s filling and very satisfying.
Garlic bread, parmesan cheese, or even bread and butter are good options if you want a little extra though.
Prawn Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 200 g Cooked Prawns (I typically use a mixture of small and jumbo)
- 150 g Fusilli
- ½ Red Pepper (Diced)
- 1 Cos Lettuce (Shredded)
- 100 g Cucumber (Sliced and cut in half)
- 100 g Plum Tomatoes (Cut in half)
For the Prawn Pasta Salad Dressing:
- 4 Tablespoons Mayo
- 2 Tablespoons Ketchup
- ¼ Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Splash Henderson’s Relish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to packet instructions, drain, rinse in cold water and set to one side.
- Place the lettuce, tomatoes, red pepper and cucumber in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the pasta and the prawns.
- In a small bowl or jug mix together the ketchup, mayo, relish and smoked paprika.
- Pour the dressing into the bowl with the lettuce, prawns and pasta and toss together well.
- Serve straight away, dividing the salad between two large bowls or plates.
Notes
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
