What to Serve with Crab Pasta Salad? 12 Best Side Dishes

Knowing what to serve with crab pasta salad can be tricky.

After all, it is such a unique and flavorful dish.

But don’t worry, I’m here to help!

I’ve rounded up 12 of the best side dishes to serve with crab pasta salad.

Whether you are looking for a salad to pair with it or something a little heartier, there is sure to be something on this list that you’ll love.

So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these recipes a try the next time you make crab pasta salad!

Read Also: What Vegetables Go in Pasta Salad? (15 Best Veggies)

What to Serve with Crab Pasta Salad? 12 Best Side Dishes

Why not go seafood-themed for your next potluck or picnic?

Crab pasta salad is a great option because it’s easy to make and can be served cold or at room temperature.

But what should you serve with crab pasta salad?

Here are 12 of the best side dishes for crab pasta salad:

1. Roasted Red Potatoes

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Roasted to crispy perfection (but still soft on the inside), these potatoes are an excellent addition to any pasta salad.

They add a much-needed element of heartiness and can help to bulk up a dish that might otherwise be mostly greens.

Plus, they’re just plain delicious.

Pro Tip: Cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces so that they’re easy to eat with a fork (and so that you don’t end up with half a potato on your plate).

2 Ways to Change Up This Pasta Salad:

• Add grilled chicken or shrimp for some extra protein.
• Swap out the roasted red potatoes for roasted sweet potatoes or roasted cauliflower.

2. Simple Biscuits

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Now easier and faster than ever before (thank you, Bisquick), these drop biscuits are a delicious addition to any pasta salad.

They’re light and fluffy on the inside with a crispy outer edge, and they soak up all of the amazing flavors from the dressing and pasta.

Plus, they’re so easy to make that you’ll be tempted to whip them up any time you have a hankering for something carb-y.

Pro Tip: To make sure your biscuits are extra fluffy, use cold butter and don’t over-mix the batter.

3. Easy Coleslaw

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A creamy coleslaw in 5 minutes (yeah, that’s all it takes)?

Yes, please!

This is the easiest and best coleslaw recipe I’ve ever tried.

The secret is in the dressing – it’s a mayo-based dressing with a little bit of sugar, vinegar, and mustard.

And because there’s no need to cook anything, this dish comes together in a snap.

Pro Tip: If you want to add a little bit of crunch, mix in some chopped up bacon or top with chopped up chives.

3 Changes You Can Make:

• Add chopped up fruit like apples or grapes for sweetness and texture
• Swap out the white vinegar for apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
• Add in some spice with a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika

4. Easy Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins

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These “muffins” have plenty of melted, cheesy goodness (which makes them great for a side dish), but they also have a little bit of a kick from the jalapeno.

They’re awesome with any pasta salad because they add both creaminess and a touch of spice.

Pro Tip: If you want a little extra cheesy flavor, sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on top of the batter before baking.

3 Additions You Can Make to This Pasta Salad:

• Add diced avocado for creaminess
• Swap out the cornbread muffins for croutons or breadsticks
• Add diced tomatoes or roasted red peppers for sweetness and color

5. Garlic Chive Smashed Potatoes

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The secret to incredibly flavorful smashed potatoes is in the skin.

You want to make sure that you leave some of the skin on the potatoes so that it gets nice and crispy in the oven.

These garlic chive smashed potatoes are awesome with any pasta salad because they add a great crunch and a ton of flavor.

Pro Tip: For extra crispy potatoes, place them under the broiler for a few minutes before serving.

6. Roasted Asparagus

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Drizzled with olive oil and garlic (or any other herbs you like), roasted asparagus is the perfect side to any pasta salad.

The key to making this dish even better is to not overcook the asparagus.

You want it to be fork-tender, but still have a little bit of a crunch.

Pro Tip: Cut the asparagus on the bias (diagonally) for a more elegant presentation.

7. Ranch Glazed Carrots

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These carrots go great alongside crab pasta salad, roasted chicken, or really any protein.

The ranch dressing adds a nice creaminess and the dill pickle juice gives it a little bit of tang.

I love to add a few chopped up dill pickles to the dish as well for some extra flavor.

Pro Tip: If you want a little bit of crunch, try adding some chopped up bacon or crumbled up blue cheese on top.

8. Quick Classic Macaroni Salad

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When simplicity is what you’re looking for in a side dish, this Quick Classic Macaroni Salad is the perfect option.

It comes together in just 15 minutes, and it’s packed with all of the classic flavors that you love – like celery, onion, and dill.

Plus, it’s super versatile and goes well with any pasta salad.

Pro Tip: For an extra flavorful macaroni salad, add in 1/4 cup of your favorite pickle juice.

9. Special Fruit Salad

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Berries and tropical fruit make this salad extra special (go for a mix of red, purple and green grapes, kiwi, mango, pineapple and berries).

The dressing is simple – just a mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar – but it really lets the fruit shine.

Pro Tip: If you’re using berries, be sure to add them right before serving so they don’t get mushy.

10. Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

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This salad will go great with any pasta salad because it has a vinegar-based dressing.

The acidity in the dressing will help to cut through any creaminess in the pasta salad.

This dish is also super easy to make ahead of time – just cook the bacon and chop the veggies, then assemble everything when you’re ready to serve.

Pro Tip: Make sure to let the bacon cool before adding it to the salad, or else the heat from the bacon will wilt the spinach.

11. Spanish Rice

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If you have a big pot (or rice cooker), this dish is a great way to feed a large group.

It’s easy to make and can be served as a side or main dish.

Plus, it’s really versatile – you can add just about anything to it and it’ll taste great.

I like to add black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, you can use pre-cooked rice. Just be sure to rinse it before adding it to the pot.

12. Lemon Orzo with Parmesan & Peas

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Why not try this side dish with your next pasta salad?

It’s a great way to add some brightness and acidity to balance out the richness of the pasta.

Plus, it’s a nice change from the usual suspects like macaroni or shells.

The peas add a lovely pop of color and the Parmesan gives it a nice salty bite.

Pro Tip: If you want to make this dish ahead of time, cook the orzo until it is al dente.

Then, add the lemon juice, zest, and Parmesan just before serving.

3 Additions You Can Make To This Pasta Salad:

• Sautéed mushrooms
• Roasted red peppers
• Kalamata olives