Make It Monday: Pretty Girl Cant Put It Down Shrimp Pasta Salad

THE BEST DAMN SHRIMP PASTA SALAD EVER!!

...and I'm not just saying that because is my recipe, I'm saying it because it's TRUE!

Seriously I started making this pasta salad a few years back and its become my signature dish. If you invite me to any function between spring and fall, don't even question cuz this is what i'm bringing and its actually gotten to the point where I get request for it *hair flip*

I haven't shared a recipe on here in a while and since spring is upon us I thought this would be the perfect first recipe. I mean it screams spring, the pasta salad its self looks like spring! Is super bright, packed with yummy veggies and just makes you feel good.

Shrimp pasta salad is perfect for cookouts, family gatherings, a healthy side dish for dinner and the perfect light lunch. Put the most perfect thing about shrimp salad is that its SUPER EASY and SUPER QUICK TO MAKE!

Ingredients:

The ingredients list below is enough for 4-5 servings (just enough for me lol j/k...or am I) if you are making this for a party please multiply ingredients as needed.

1 Box of Tri Colored Pasta (because it looks cute)

1 Bottle of Italian Salad Dressing (I use Zesty because it..its fancy lol but you can use light or whatever you please)

1 lb of steamed shrimp (I get mine steamed at the market with old bay because I'm from Maryland lol)

-The following items are optional depending on your liking-

1 Red Onion

1 Red Pepper

1 Yellow Pepper

2 -3 Plum Tomatoes

1 Cucumbers

3-4  Celery stalks

 Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil your pasta till or just before tender and drain, put into a large mixing bowl and DO NOT RINSE. Immediately after transferring into a mixing bowl put about 3 squirts of Italian salad dressing in with the pasta and mix. This prevents the pasta from sticking.

2. Cut up all veggies, you can actually do this while the pasta noodles are cooking up =) I like to dice mine into smaller pieces. I feel like its better than having things (like peppers and onions) cut into strips which become bulky. With diced pieces every scoop can contain some super good veggies and your not struggling to get them on your plate.

3. Cut each piece of shrimp depending on size into 2 or 3 pieces. You do this for two reasons...1. IT SPREADS THE SHRIMP...shrimp can be expensive so you want to make sure you make that ish stretch lol especially if your making it for other people and 2. because again it will make it easier to scoop and everyone will get a fair share.

4. Mix all this yummy goodness into the bowl together and top with some pepper to taste.

5. Add the rest of your Italian dressing =) I use the whole damn bottle almost LOL but add to your liking.

6. Cover and pop in the fridge. It taste the best if you let it sit over night because all the yummy goodness can really marinate together. However if your in a pinch for time 2 hours will do.

YOUR DONE!

That's it, super simple the whole thing should take you 15-20 mins *does dance*

If you try this don't forget to take a picture and tag me on instagram @theprettygirlsguide and hashtag #Prettygirlsguide. I would love to see how yours turns out!

Until Next Time,

XO Deanna