Shrimp Avocado Pasta Salad is a zesty, filling salad which is perfect to serve for lunch or as a light dinner during the warmer months – done and ready to serve in 15 minutes !
A Pasta salad with all our favorite ingredients ! And best of all – this Shrimp Avocado Pasta Salad is not drenched in dressing.
Rather than a dressing, only a bit of Olive Oil and Lemon is stirred through the salad.
I like to play around with different types of Basil leaves. Tasty types which goes well with this recipe are:
- Lemon Basil
- Sweet Basil ( the most common type )
- Lime Basil
- Genovese Basil
This is really up to your taste preference and what is available to you.
Serve the Pasta Salad for lunch (so quick to make!), or as a light dinner. For dinner, I would suggest adding an appetizer or dessert to your menu.
The Salad is filling enough for myself, but the men in our house like a little something extra. As an appetizer, which is just as quick and easy, do check out my Mussels In Lemon Garlic-Butter Sauce.
This appetizer is especially great if you want the seafood theme to carry through your menu.
You can also serve the Shrimp Avocado Pasta Salad as an appetizer ! As long as the servings are more to the smaller side. About a measuring cup full, should do it.
Served on a bed of shredded lettuce, or any type of large lettuce leaf, this looks amazing and makes a stunning entrance to your dinner meal.
Best Pasta to use in Salads :
- Penne Pasta
- Farfalle Pasta
- Fusilli Pasta
- Orzo
- Small Shell Pasta
Also rather use dried pasta instead of fresh pasta, as dried pasta will hold their shape better.
For a change I now and then substitute the Shrimp with cooked (Rotisserie is perfect!) Chicken, which I add in together with the Avocado etc at the end.
More Shrimp recipes to check out !
Shrimp Avocado Pasta Salad
Shrimp Avocado Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 500 g Penne Pasta ( 16 oz )
- 400 g Shrimp or Prawns, cleaned ( 14 oz )
- ¼ cup Olive Oil extra virgin
- 1 Lemon juice and zest (finely grated)
- 1 t Fresh Garlic crushed
- Black Pepper to taste
- 1 large Avocado peeled and cubed
- 250 g Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 3-4 Spring Onions chopped
- ½ cup Basil Leaves
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta until al dente in salted water - add the Shrimp 2-3 minutes before the end - drain - rinse under cold water if you prefer (to cool the Pasta quickly) - place in a large mixing bowl
- Combine the Olive Oil, Lemon juice and zest, Garlic and season to taste with Black Pepper - stir into Pasta and Shrimp mixture
- Add the Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes, Spring Onions and Basil - gently toss and transfer to a serving bowl
LINDA
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michele
Wednesday 13th of June 2018
My basil plants were overabundant when I saw this. Made it last night for dinner and LOVED it! It was so fresh and easy to make! Keeping this one to make again and again!
Shinta Simon
Wednesday 13th of June 2018
This salad looks delightful fresh! Just perfect for the season. I love shrimp and avocado, and it sounds like a winning combination in a pasta salad.
Tara @ Unsophisticook
Wednesday 13th of June 2018
What a perfect light and refreshing summer dish!
Mervova Vladka
Wednesday 13th of June 2018
I am allergic to shrimps so I wonder what would be the best substitute to use instead in your salad. Thanks
Linda Nortje
Wednesday 13th of June 2018
The salad is equally delicious with chicken, Mervova :-)
Lauren @ Delicious Little Bites
Wednesday 13th of June 2018
This looks great! I agree that this would be plenty enough for me, but my fiance would need a little something extra and he loves mussels so I need to check out your recipe for those too!