The jimmy Buffett pasta salad is one of my favorite to make a dish. Are you ready to bring a taste of the tropics to your next barbecue or potluck? Look no further than this delicious Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad recipe!
Inspired by the laid-back, beachy vibes of the legendary musician and his Margaritaville brand, this pasta salad is full of tropical flavors and hearty ingredients that will transport you to the sunny shores of the Caribbean.
How To Make Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is great either cold or at room temperature as an accompaniment to any meal. Gather your supplies, get in the kitchen, and let Jimmy Buffett’s relaxing, beachy tunes wash over you as you prepare and devour your meal. You could follow the step-by-step instructions to make your own, flavourful pasta.
Ingredients For Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad
- 8 ounces of pasta: Any type of pasta will do, but something like rotini or farfalle will hold onto the dressing and other ingredients well.
- 1 pound of cooked and peeled shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe, just be sure to thaw and devein them before using.
- 1 cup of diced mango: Choose a ripe, juicy mango for the best flavor. If you’re not a fan of mango, you could also use diced pineapple or papaya.
- 1 cup of diced bell peppers: Red, yellow, and orange peppers will add a pop of color to the salad.
- 1/2 cup of diced red onion: This will add a bit of bite and crunch to the salad.
- 1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro: This fragrant herb will give the salad a bright, fresh flavor.
In addition to these main ingredients, you’ll also need some basic pantry staples to make the dressing:
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step By Step Instructions To Make Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, diced mango, diced bell peppers, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro.
- Add the cooked and peeled shrimp to the mixing bowl, then pour the dressing over the top of the pasta salad.
- Gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.
- When you’re ready to serve, give the pasta salad a good stir and taste for seasoning. If needed, add a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lime juice to brighten up the flavors.
- Serve the pasta salad chilled or at room temperature, garnished with a few sprigs of fresh cilantro if desired.
This Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for any summer cookout or beach party. The combination of sweet mango, crunchy bell peppers, and savory shrimp is sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
Plus, the lime and cilantro dressing adds a bright, tropical flavor that will transport you to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. So grab your fork and dive into this delicious pasta salad – no passport required!

Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of pasta: Any type of pasta will do but something like rotini or farfalle will hold onto the dressing and other ingredients well.
- 1 pound of cooked and peeled shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe just be sure to thaw and devein them before using.
- 1 cup of diced mango: Choose a ripe juicy mango for the best flavor. If you’re not a fan of mango, you could also use diced pineapple or papaya.
- 1 cup of diced bell peppers: Red yellow, and orange peppers will add a pop of color to the salad.
- 1/2 cup of diced red onion: This will add a bit of bite and crunch to the salad.
- 1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro: This fragrant herb will give the salad a bright fresh flavor.
- In addition to these main ingredients you’ll also need some basic pantry staples to make the dressing:
For the dressing
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard
- 1 clove of garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, diced mango, diced bell peppers, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro.
- Add the cooked and peeled shrimp to the mixing bowl, then pour the dressing over the top of the pasta salad.
- Gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.
- When you’re ready to serve, give the pasta salad a good stir and taste for seasoning. If needed, add a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lime juice to brighten up the flavors.
- Serve the pasta salad chilled or at room temperature, garnished with a few sprigs of fresh cilantro if desired.
This easy-to-make Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad will be the talk of any summer barbecue or beach party. Mango, bell peppers, and shrimp combine with bright and tangy lime and cilantro dressing to make a dish that will have you daydreaming about the Caribbean.
This pasta salad is great either cold or at room temperature as an accompaniment to any meal. Gather your supplies, get in the kitchen, and let Jimmy Buffett’s relaxing, beachy tunes wash over you as you prepare and devour your meal.