Confetti Shrimp Cocktail Pasta Salad

5.0
(15)

A great warm weather salad reminiscent of Mexican shrimp cocktail.

3
Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
2 hrs 55 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings

Ingredients

  • 13 ounces spiral pasta

  • 1 ripe avocado - peeled, pitted and chopped

  • 2 teaspoons lime juice

  • 1 pound cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • 2 tomatoes, chopped

  • 4 green onions, chopped

  • ½ cup finely chopped red onion

  • ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper

  • ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper

  • ¼ cup chopped yellow bell pepper

  • ¼ cup chopped orange bell pepper

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

  • 1 ½ cups vegetable juice cocktail

  • ¼ cup olive oil

  • ¼ cup ketchup

  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice

  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish

  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste

  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the pasta at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain and rinse under cold water until chilled.

  2. Place avocado into a bowl and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons lime juice to prevent browning; cover and refrigerate.

  3. Toss cooked pasta, shrimp, tomatoes, green onions, red onion, green, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, and cilantro in a large salad bowl until thoroughly combined.

  4. Pour vegetable juice cocktail, olive oil, ketchup, and 1/4 cup lime juice into a food processor; add horseradish, jalapeno pepper, hot pepper sauce, salt, garlic, and black pepper. Pulse a few times to mix the dressing, then process until jalapeno and garlic are chopped very small, about 30 seconds. Pour dressing over pasta salad and stir to combine. Cover salad and chill thoroughly in refrigerator, 2 to 3 hours; just before serving, gently stir in avocado.

Cook's Note:

Alternative to shrimp: Add 2 chicken breasts or 3 chicken thighs that have been poached, cooled, skinned, boned, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add jicama and/or celery, if you like.
Add up to 1 more pound of shrimp to bolster the protein.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

479 Calories
16g Fat
59g Carbs
27g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 479
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16g 21%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 148mg 49%
Sodium 864mg 38%
Total Carbohydrate 59g 22%
Dietary Fiber 7g 24%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 27g 53%
Vitamin C 73mg 81%
Calcium 82mg 6%
Iron 5mg 28%
Potassium 838mg 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.