Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Printer view)

Tender shells, crisp cucumbers, and aromatic dill tossed in creamy, tangy dressing with everything bagel seasoning.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz small shell pasta
02 - 1 teaspoon salt for pasta water

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups diced cucumber, approximately 1 large English cucumber
04 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Fresh Herbs

05 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped

→ Dressing

06 - 1/2 cup sour cream
07 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Seasoning

13 - 1 1/2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shell pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water until completely cooled.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
03 - Add the cooled pasta, diced cucumber, sliced green onions, and chopped fresh dill to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss all ingredients until evenly coated.
04 - Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning over the salad and fold gently until the seasoning is distributed evenly throughout.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as needed. Transfer to a serving dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The everything bagel seasoning adds this incredible umami crunch that keeps people guessing what makes it so addictive
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent way more time on it
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta thoroughly under cold water is absolutely non-negotiable, otherwise the residual heat will make your dressing separate and turn weirdly greasy
  • This salad actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours or even overnight, so do not be afraid to make it the day before you need it
03 -
  • Cut your cucumber into small, uniform dice so every forkful gets the perfect ratio of crunchy vegetable to creamy pasta
  • Buy actual everything bagel seasoning from the spice aisle rather than trying to make your own unless you have all the seeds on hand
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