Fancy Seaside Elegance: Ina Garten’s Lobster Pasta Salad Recipe

Summer’s bounty meets coastal elegance in this Ina Garten lobster pasta salad that promises pure culinary delight.

Succulent lobster chunks dance with al dente pasta, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.

Fresh herbs and a zesty dressing weave magic through every bite, elevating this dish from simple to spectacular.

The recipe captures the essence of relaxed, sophisticated dining with minimal effort.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can easily recreate at home.

Each forkful whispers of seaside memories and gourmet comfort.

Dive into this irresistible pasta salad and let your taste buds embark on a delicious coastal journey.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Ina Garten Lobster Pasta Salad

Ocean’s Treasure Pasta Delight

• Pasta Foundation Boil a pot of water with a generous pinch of salt. Drop pasta and cook until perfectly tender, following package guidance.
• Pasta Chill Drain pasta and rinse with cold water, letting it cool completely. Set aside in a spacious mixing bowl.
• Creamy Dream Sauce Whisk together a smooth blend of creamy elements – tangy mayonnaise, silky sour cream, bright lemon juice, zesty Dijon, and a sprinkle of seasoning for that extra coastal kick.
• Seafood Symphony Gently fold succulent lobster chunks into the pasta. Add crisp diced vegetables – juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy celery, sweet red pepper, and sharp red onion. Scatter fresh parsley for a burst of color.
• Flavor Fusion Pour the velvety sauce over the pasta mixture. Tenderly toss until every morsel is beautifully coated, creating a harmonious coastal masterpiece.
• Chill and Savor Cover the bowl and let the flavors dance and mingle in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Serve cool and enjoy a taste of seaside luxury.

Upgrade Ideas for Ina Garten Lobster Pasta Salad

• Brilliant Twists and Helpful Hints
• Replace lobster with fresh crab, shrimp, or even flaky white fish for a delightful protein variation that keeps the dish exciting and budget-friendly.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, chives, or tarragon to add unexpected layers of flavor and brighten the entire salad's profile.
• Toss in toasted pine nuts, sliced almonds, or crispy bacon bits to introduce delightful texture and unexpected crunch that elevates the dish's overall eating experience.
• Kick the dressing's heat by adding a dash of cayenne pepper, sriracha, or red pepper flakes for those who love a zesty Mediterranean-inspired twist.
• Prepare the entire salad up to 24 hours in advance, allowing flavors to develop more deeply and making meal prep a breeze for summer gatherings or quick weeknight dinners.

Serving Options for Ina Garten Lobster Pasta Salad

• Pair with Fresh Greens: Create a vibrant side salad with mixed baby greens, arugula, or crisp romaine to complement the rich lobster pasta.
• Garnish with Zesty Herbs: Sprinkle fresh chives, dill, or additional chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and bright, aromatic flavor.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a chilled glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay to enhance the delicate seafood notes.
• Elegant Bread Companion: Add toasted crusty baguette slices or light garlic crostini to provide a delightful crunch and soak up the creamy dressing.

Ina Garten Lobster Pasta Salad: How to Keep It Fresh

• Maximize Freshness: Store this lobster pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for optimal taste and texture.
• Quick-Chill Strategy: Let the salad cool completely before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth and maintain crisp vegetable crunch.
• Smart Serving Tip: Consume within 2-3 days for the best flavor, as seafood and mayonnaise-based dishes have a shorter shelf life.
• Revive Before Serving: Gently stir the salad and add a splash of fresh lemon juice to refresh the flavors if it seems dry after refrigeration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 576 kcal

Servings: 6

Everything You Need for Ina Garten Lobster Pasta Salad

• Pasta: Provides the hearty foundation for the salad, choose a shape that catches dressing well like shells or rotini.

• Lobster Meat: Luxurious star of the dish, select fresh or high-quality frozen meat for best flavor and tender texture.

• Cherry Tomatoes, Red Bell Pepper, Celery, Red Onion: Adds vibrant colors, crisp texture, and fresh garden-like brightness to balance the creamy dressing.
• Parsley: Brings a fresh herbal note and beautiful green garnish to lighten the overall dish.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creates rich, smooth base that coats ingredients beautifully.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, zesty acidity to cut through richness.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides subtle tangy depth and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Old Bay Seasoning: Introduces classic seafood spice profile that complements lobster perfectly.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance all flavors.

Tools That Make Ina Garten Lobster Pasta Salad Easier

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta with plenty of water and salt.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta quickly and rinsing with cold water.
• Small bowl: Ideal for whisking together the creamy, tangy dressing.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining all ingredients and tossing gently.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Helpful for chopping vegetables and herbs precisely.
• Cutting board: Clean surface for preparing ingredients safely.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate tools for portioning ingredients correctly.
• Plastic wrap: Useful for covering the salad while chilling.

Elegant Lobster Pasta Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Summer’s delectable lobster pasta salad from Ina Garten combines fresh seafood and crisp vegetables in a light mayonnaise dressing. Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, offering coastal charm that delights palates on warm afternoons.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (454 g) lobster meat, chopped
• 1 lb (454 g) pasta (fusilli or farfalle)
• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup (75 g) celery, finely chopped
• ½ cup (75 g) red bell pepper, finely chopped
• ¼ cup (40 g) red onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) Old Bay seasoning (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, then swiftly drain and rinse under cold water to immediately halt cooking. Allow pasta to cool completely.
2. Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, black pepper, and Old Bay seasoning in a small bowl until smooth and fully integrated.
3. Ingredient Fusion: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, tender lobster meat, cherry tomatoes, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and fresh parsley. Gently fold ingredients to maintain delicate texture.
4. Flavor Infusion: Pour prepared dressing over the mixture, carefully folding to ensure even coating without fragmenting the lobster meat. Ensure each ingredient is delicately enrobed in the creamy dressing.
5. Chilling and Serving: Seal the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight lid, then refrigerate for 60-90 minutes. This crucial resting period allows flavors to meld and intensify. Serve thoroughly chilled, presenting a harmonious and refreshing pasta salad with vibrant maritime essence.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta exactly 8-10 minutes for ideal al dente texture, then immediately rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping.
• Dressing Dynamics: Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings thoroughly to create a smooth, well-blended sauce that coats ingredients evenly without overwhelming.
• Seafood Sensitivity: Handle lobster meat gently during mixing to prevent breaking delicate pieces, ensuring each bite maintains its luxurious texture.
• Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate salad for minimum 60-90 minutes before serving, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop a deeper, more complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 576
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1025 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg