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Close-up of a creamy shrimp pasta salad with rotini, red peppers, and fresh dill in a green bowl.

Zesty Lemon-Dill Shrimp Pasta Salad

A refreshing and vibrant pasta salad featuring succulent lemon-dill marinated shrimp, tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a light, tangy dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light summer meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean-inspired
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Lemon-Dill Shrimp
  • 1.5 lbs Shrimp large, peeled, deveined, tails on or off
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice fresh
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Dill finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
For the Pasta Salad
  • 12 oz Rotini Pasta or other short pasta like penne, fusilli
  • 1.5 cups Cherry Tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup Cucumber diced, peeled if desired
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Bell Pepper diced (any color)
  • 1/2 cup Feta Cheese crumbled (optional)
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped (for garnish)
For the Zesty Lemon Dressing
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil extra virgin
  • 3 tbsp Lemon Juice fresh
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tsp Honey or Maple Syrup
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Air Fryer
  • Colander

Method
 

Prepare the Shrimp
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the pasta.
Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
Cook the Shrimp
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the marinated shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until shrimp are pink and cooked through. Alternatively, you can sauté the shrimp in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked. Let cool slightly.
Prepare the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red onion, and diced bell pepper.
Dress and Serve
  1. Pour the prepared zesty lemon dressing over the pasta and shrimp mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated. Stir in the crumbled feta cheese (if using).
Chill and Garnish
  1. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

For best flavor, make the salad a few hours ahead of time and chill thoroughly. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Feel free to add other vegetables like olives, artichoke hearts, or sun-dried tomatoes.