This Lobster Pasta Salad is the coastal dish you need this summer! Imagine the flavors of a classic New England lobster roll meets the creamy, herb-packed goodness of a seafood pasta salad—this is exactly that, but better! Buttery lobster meat is tossed with a creamy dressing made with fresh lemon juice, fragrant herbs, and just the right touch of Old Bay seasoning. Whether you serve it warm or chilled, this lobster pasta salad recipe is perfect for a special occasion, a backyard cookout, or anytime you want something that feels fancy but takes almost no effort!

Lobster pasta salad on a white plate topped with chives and lemon zest.

Are you looking for more lobster recipes? I have tons on my site. Some of my favorites are my brown butter lobster roll, warm lobster roll, and new england lobster roll! And I love a good lobster pasta like my lobster bisque pasta or for seafood lovers, my frutti di mare!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy & Flavorful – This creamy pasta salad is packed with buttery lobster meat, fresh herbs, and bright lemon juice, making every bite irresistible.
Perfect for Any Occasion – Serve it warm or as a cold pasta salad—it’s just as good at a summer cookout as it is for a special occasion dinner.
Easy Yet Elegant – With just a few simple steps, this dish comes together quickly but tastes restaurant-worthy.

Ingredient Breakdown – What You Need & Helpful Tips

Orecchiette Pasta – Holds onto the creamy dressing beautifully and complements the delicate texture of fresh lobster. You can also use rotini pasta for more texture.
Whole Lobster or Lobster Tails – Using fresh lobster makes a huge difference in flavor! If using lb lobsters, steam and pick the meat yourself, or grab cups of lobster meat from your local seafood counter.
Unsalted Butter – Tossing lobster meat in melted butter brings out that sweet, briny lobster flavor. Don’t skip this step!
Mayonnaise – The base of the creamy dressing that keeps everything luscious. For extra richness, use a mix of mayo and sour cream.
Lemon Juice & Zest – Adds brightness and balances the richness of the buttery lobster meat. Always use fresh produce for the best results!
Old Bay Seasoning – A classic seafood seasoning that enhances the sweet, briny taste of the lobster.
Shallots – Milder than a medium red onion, they add just the right amount of bite without overpowering the dish.
Celery – A must for crunch and freshness—look for crisp, bright green stalks at the grocery store.
Fresh Herbs (Dill, Chives, Tarragon) – These elevate the lobster macaroni salad with a pop of flavor.
Salt & Black Pepper – Enhances all the flavors and brings out the sweetness of the sweet lobster.

Ingredient Substitutions

Lobster → Imitation Crab or Shrimp – If fresh lobster isn’t available, try imitation crab or chilled poached shrimp for a different take on a seafood pasta salad.
Mayonnaise → Sour Cream & Olive Oil – Swap some of the mayo for sour cream and a drizzle of good-quality olive oil for a lighter version.
Orecchiette → Rotini Pasta or Elbow Macaroni – Rotini pasta holds onto the dressing well, and elbow macaroni gives it more of a lobster macaroni salad feel.
Shallots → Green Onions – A milder, slightly sweeter option if you don’t have shallots on hand.

Ingredient Additions

Crispy Bacon – Adds a smoky, salty crunch that pairs well with the lobster. Try adding bacon, cooked and crumbled.
Grape Tomatoes – Halved grape tomatoes bring a juicy pop of freshness.
Sweet Corn – A little sweet corn adds a natural sweetness and a fun summer touch.
Bell Pepper – Diced bell pepper adds color and crunch to the cold pasta salad.

Step by Step Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orecchiette according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Bite-sized chunks of lobster and melted butter in a pan to make lobster salad pasta.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the chopped lobster and gently fold to coat it in the butter. Cook for about one minute, just until the lobster is warmed through, then remove from heat.

Making the dressing for a lobster pasta salad recipe.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and lemon juice until smooth.

Add the salt, black pepper, Old Bay seasoning, lemon zest, dill, chives, and tarragon, then stir to combine.

Making the mayonnaise-based dressing and mixing it with diced celery and shallots for a lobster pasta salad recipe.

Add the diced shallots and celery and mix again until evenly distributed.

Next, we will add the main ingredients of the dish to the dressing!

Pasta and lobster meat in a bowl to make lobster pasta salad.

Add the drained pasta and warm lobster to the bowl with the dressing.

Using a spatula, fold everything together until the pasta and lobster are well coated. Serve immediately while warm or refrigerate for a few hours to chill before serving.

Expert Tips

Use Fresh Lobster for the Best Flavor – If possible, cook your ow lobsters and remove the meat with kitchen shears for maximum flavor. Pre-cooked cups of lobster meat from the store also work well!
Don’t Overcook the Lobster – Warm it gently in butter—overcooking can make it rubbery.
Season the Pasta Water – A large pot of salted water is key to flavorful pasta. Pasta cooks better when seasoned!
Chill for Maximum Flavor – If serving as a cold pasta salad, let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors meld.

Serving Suggestions

Wine Pairing: A chilled glass of Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc (or any crisp white wine) complements the buttery lobster meat beautifully.´
Cocktail: Love iced tea? This would be amazing with my John Daly cocktail, which is a boozy version of an Arnold Palmer!
Lobster Pasta Salad Sliders – Scoop onto buttered, toasted hot dog buns for a fun twist on a lobster roll pasta salad.
Serve on a Bed of Greens – Pile it over fresh produce like arugula or butter lettuce for a light, summery take.
Make It a Full Meal – Serve with a burger, hot dogs, grilled shrimp, or a side of buttery corn on the cob.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen as it sits!
Do Not Freeze: This dish doesn’t freeze well since the creamy dressing may separate.
Revive Leftovers: If the pasta has absorbed too much dressing, stir in a small bowl of extra mayo and a splash of lemon juice before serving.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @alliehagerty on Instagram and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!