Make this Crab Pasta Salad for an incredibly flavorful side dish or light main course. Featuring smoky and savory bacon, this is a fun way to instantly upgrade any pasta salad into a crowd-pleasing dish.
It's perfect for summer cookouts, barbecues, pool parties, and more! Best of all, it's easy peasy to make so you'll be in and out of the kitchen in no time.
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🩵 About This Recipe
If you're looking for something light and packed with refreshing flavor, this crab macaroni salad is the perfect option! Great for the spring and summer but delicious all year long, this is an affordable side dish that's so easy to make.
With a combination of imitation crab, peas, and smoky bacon, this orzo salad is great to serve as a side dish but could also be enjoyed as a satisfying lunch or afternoon snack!
If you fall in love with this recipe, you should also try my Chickpea Pasta Salad or this Southwest Chicken Salad!
What readers are saying...
This basically encompasses everything I love about food- sans cheese. I could eat this every single day - no joke.
- Kristin
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- orzo pasta - Provides the pasta base with a tender, slightly chewy texture that soaks up the dressing.
- frozen peas - Add pops of sweetness, color, and freshness that balance the richness of the crab and bacon.
- imitation crab - a tasty and affordable ingredient that will satisfy your seafood cravings!
- chopped cooked bacon - feel free to buy pre-cooked bacon pieces, but avoid artificial bacon bits for best flavor results.
- mayonnaise - Creates the creamy dressing, binding all the ingredients together while adding richness.
- lemon juice - Brightens the salad with acidity, cutting through the mayo and bacon fat while enhancing the crab's flavor.
- seasonings - Support the flavors with onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
🔪 Let's Make Crab Pasta Salad!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix together crab, bacon, mayo, lemon juice, and seasonings.
Add Cooked Pasta
Cook orzo to al dente according to the package, then add to the bowl.
Mix Well
Fold everything together until it's all evenly coated in the dressing. Serve and enjoy!
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Fresh lemon juice will result in the best flavor, but bottled juice can be substituted in a pinch.
- Be sure to let the peas thaw fully and drain any excess liquid to avoid a watery crab pasta salad.
❔ FAQs
Most imitation crab is made from a fish paste called surimi, which is typically made from pollock. Imitation crab is actually seafood, just not truly crab!
No, imitation crab doesn't need to be cooked before adding it to your crab macaroni salad.
Orzo is a type of small pasta that has a similar shape to rice, but it is in fact pasta! On the other hand, rice is a kind of grain. If you prefer rice to pasta, you could use this recipe to make a bacon crab rice bowl!
Love peas? Then you should also try this borsofőzelék (green pea stew) recipe. It's a delicious Hungarian side dish with simple ingredients and lots of flavor.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Orzo can be swapped for elbow macaroni, ditalini, or small shells.
- For some extra crunch and color, add diced celery, bell peppers, or red onion.
- Give your crab macaroni salad some extra richness by mixing in a handful of shredded cheddar or mozzarella. Shred your own cheese for best results!
- Greek yogurt can be substituted for some or all of the mayo for a lighter option.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
If you do use pre-cooked bacon, be sure to go for real bacon pieces and not artificial bacon bits! The flavor will be better that way.
🥡 Storage
If you have imitation crab pasta salad leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days. Give it a stir before serving again and mix in some extra mayo or lemon juice if it's a bit dry.
I don't recommend freezing this - the mayo and pasta won't freeze and thaw well.
⏳ Make Ahead Instructions
Cook your own bacon a day or two ahead of time, then chop or crumble it and store in the fridge until it's time to assemble this crab pasta salad.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this crab pasta salad recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
This can be served as a light main dish or as a side with your favorite grilled meats or something like these Grilled Halloumi Kebabs with Sausage. Garnish with some parsley or green onions for a pop of color and freshness!
😋 More Seafood Recipes You'll Love
- Crab Pizza with Bacon and Spinach - If you love the crab and bacon combo, this unique pizza is a must-try!
- Shrimp Tostadas with Avocado Mash - Crispy and flavorful, these tostadas are perfect for a refreshing Taco Tuesday dinner.
- Easy Crab Cakes - Making delicious crab cake sandwiches is so easy to do in your own kitchen.
- Salmon Salad Sandwiches - This recipe from JZ Eats is excellent for salmon fans!
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Imitation Crab Macaroni Salad
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📋 Recipe Card
Crab Pasta Salad with Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 ounces orzo pasta
- 6 ounces frozen peas, thawed
- 8 ounces imitation crab (roughly chopped)
- ¾ cup chopped cooked bacon
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook the orzo pasta according to the directions on the box. While the pasta is cooking, measure out the peas and leave on the counter so they start to thaw.8 ounces orzo pasta, 6 ounces frozen peas, thawed
- While the pasta is cooking, combine the rest of the ingredients in a medium bowl.8 ounces imitation crab, ¾ cup chopped cooked bacon, ¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- When the pasta is done, drain and rinse a bit with cold water to cool the pasta. Add to the bowl with the mayonnaise mixture.
- Mix until well combined. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Use pre-cooked bacon pieces to cut down on prep time.
- Use bottled lemon juice if you don't have a lemon handy.
Variation Suggestions:
- Swap orzo for another small pasta like macaroni, ditalini, or small shells.
- Add diced celery, red onion, or bell pepper for crunch and color.
- Stir in a handful of shredded cheddar or mozzarella for extra richness.
- Use Greek yogurt in place of some or all of the mayo for a lighter option.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve chilled as a light lunch or a side for grilled meats.
- This is a great salad to take to a potluck or picnic, however be sure you can keep it cool.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or dill for a pop of color and flavor.
Storage Info For Leftovers:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Stir before serving to refresh the texture, and add a spoonful of mayo or lemon juice if it's a bit dry.
- Not recommended for freezing, as the texture of the pasta and mayo may change.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in September 2016, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in July 2025.
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Happy cooking!
Carrie Bearie says
My husband and I both loved this! I googled bacon and fake crab meat recipes because that's what I had to cook with for dinner! I used a special onion mix (vs. onion powder), and I added a little bit of sour cream and salt and pepper. Very good!
Kristin says
That's great to hear, thanks so much! Love your customizations! 🙂
Quinn Caudill says
We have been obsessed with orzo lately and this salad sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday. Pinned and shared!
Kristin McCarthy says
This basically encompasses everything I love about food- sans cheese. I could eat this every single day- no joke.
#theshinebloghop
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
I love orzo - this salad looks incredibly good! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner link up!