16oz.Small Shell Pasta*see notes for other options
2(6 oz.) cansMedium Shrimp, de-veined preferred *fresh shrimp works great too see notes
5 to 6Hard Boiled Eggs
10Gherkin Pickles, or more if desired*I buy the small 16 oz. jar of Gherkins
2bunchesGreen Onions
Dressing *add more or less seasonings to taste
2cupsMayonnaise
2cupsMiracle Whip
1/4cupYellow Mustard
1Tbspwhite sugar
1tspgarlic salt
1tsp onion powder
1tspsalt
1/2tspblack pepper
Instructions
Cook your pasta according to the package directions.
While the pasta is cooking make your dressing. Just add the dressing ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Mix the ingredients together and adjust the seasonings to your liking. You can also add more mustard, mayo or Miracle Whip.Set the dressing aside.
Open the cans of shrimp and drain the juices. Dump the shrimp on a cutting board and try and remove any veins if there are any. Rough chop the bigger peices as needed. It’s ok if it breaks apart a bit.*If using fresh shrimp, chop it into smaller pieces.
Peel the hard boiled eggs and chop them into small pieces.
Chop your Gherkin pickles into small pieces,
Chop your green onions into small pieces.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, the shrimp, eggs, pickles and green onions. I like to take a little of each and mix it as I go (sort of creating layers of mixed up ingredients).
A little bit at a time, add the dressing to the salad, mixing it as you go. Add as much as you like. (It will be very saucy if you add it all).***Reserve about 1 1/2 cups of the dressing to be added later if you aren’t serving it right away or if you are planning on having leftovers. (The pasta will soak up some of the dressing so it is nice to have some extra on hand.)
Serve the salad and enjoy.
Keep the salad cold before and after serving. If taking the salad to a picnic where you can’t keep it cold you can fill a larger bowl with ice and then place the salad bowl in the bowl of ice.Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
Notes
You can use larger shell pasta. You can also swap out the shells for mini bow tie (or regular sized bowtie), macaroni, cellentani, rotini or even Ditalini (the tiny little tube pasta).You can add chopped black olives to this salad.Do not use tiny canned shrimp because it is never deveined. Do not use wild shrimp.You can slice hard boiled eggs and place them on top for serving with a little bit of paprika sprinkled on them. This is optional and just makes it look nice.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.