Cool and creamy. Spicy and fresh. This Sriracha Shrimp Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead main dish loaded with colorful crisp veggies, shrimp, and a bold sriracha dressing.
I started this blog just over a year ago. If you’re familiar with my story, then you probably know that I started blogging because I was at a low point in my life. I’d recently lost a part of my identity, after being a stay at home for 15 years my kids had all gone off to school leaving me at home with too much time on my hands. I’d thought that I’d find a part time job somewhere to keep me busy, but that huge gap in my work history left me virtually unemployable, so I started blogging to have something to do. That was really my goal, just to have something to do.
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Well this week, after 16 years of being out of the workforce I finally went back to work! And this blog is the number one reason I was hired in this new position. Funny thing about it, when I was filling out the application I wasn’t sure whether I should put my blog on there or not, but my husband convinced me it would be a good move. As much as I hate to admit it, he was right. (Yes, dear, I just told the entire internet you were right.) My interviewer was so taken with my blog, my writing and photography, the other skills that go along with running a successful blog, that they created a position just for me! Talk about being beyond thrilled! I’m now working with a business that I’ve always wanted to work for, have hours that allow me to still be home with my kids, and allows me even more of a creative outlet. I have to say that it really reinforced the idea that everything happens for a reason. When one door closes, another door opens. We just have to be patient and then willing to stride through confidently when the opportunity arises.
My mom came over the other day to have a girl’s day and celebrate my good news. We had this sriracha shrimp pasta for lunch and triple butterscotch pound cake for dessert. I’ve been a bit obsessed with pound cakes lately and you can bet that the triple butterscotch will be on the blog soon.
As far as pasta salads go, this one is pretty epic. It’s not your grandma’s macaroni salad. Not that there’s anything wrong with your granny’s macaroni salad, I love your grandma’s macaroni salad! It’s just this sriracha shrimp salad has big bold flavors that I adore, sriracha, sesame, and cilantro. Loaded with colorful fresh veggies that give a great contrast in texture, a crisp crunch in every bite. And with succulent shrimp added in it’s just an elegant dish all-around, one that is perfect for this time of year when no one wants to be stuck in the kitchen. There’s so much to be out doing.
So let’s just finish this off on this note:
Make the pasta salad, you won’t regret it.
Follow your passion, you won’t regret it.
Don’t spend so much time dwelling on the doors that have closed that you can’t see the ones that might be peeking open!
Have a glorious week friends.
Sriracha Shrimp Pasta Salad
Cool and creamy. Spicy and fresh. This Sriracha Shrimp Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead main dish loaded with colorful crisp veggies, shrimp, and a bold sriracha dressing.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta such as shells, , rotini, farfelle or campanelle
- 2 cups small cooked and peeled shrimp
- 1 medium cucumber, , seeded and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, , seeded and chopped
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta as directed on the package.
- While pasta is cooking, in a medium sized bowl, blend together the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, sesame oil, and lemon juice.
- Add to this the cucumber, red bell pepper, carrots, cilantro and shrimp.
- When the pasta has finished cooking, drain and rinse it well.
- Mix the pasta in with the dressing and veggies. Cover and chill for at least one hour.
- Salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 4 -6 servingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 464
Keith @ How's it Lookin?
Friday 22nd of April 2016
Looks so good. A shrimp salad is sounding pretty tasty right about now, thanks for the idea
Amy D
Friday 22nd of April 2016
You're welcome Keith. It's definitely a nice time of year to not be standing at the stove. Too much to be out doing!
Karly Campbell
Friday 22nd of April 2016
Ugh. There's never enough Sriracha. Or pasta, for that matter. This is amazing!
Amy D
Friday 22nd of April 2016
Thank you so much Karly! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it.
Beth
Wednesday 20th of April 2016
Sounds fantastic! And congratulations on your new job!
Amy D
Wednesday 20th of April 2016
Thanks so much Beth.
The Food Hunter
Wednesday 20th of April 2016
It looks fresh and delicious I love it.
Amy D
Wednesday 20th of April 2016
Oh and it is! You'll have to try it soon.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
Wednesday 20th of April 2016
Wow, this is definitely not MY grandma's pasta salad! And congrats on your new job, I think it's fabulous the way your blog was received --- we put our heart and souls into our blogs and it's nice to know they're appreciated!
Amy D
Wednesday 20th of April 2016
Sue, it's nowhere near my Grandma's pasta salad either! Thanks so much, it's definitely a big change, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.