Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Print version)

Tender shells and crisp cucumbers tossed in creamy dressing with fresh dill and 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, about 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 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 - 1.5 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning

# Directions:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The everything bagel seasoning is the secret ingredient nobody guesses but everyone asks about
  • It comes together in under thirty minutes but tastes like you planned it for days
02 -
  • Rinse your pasta under really cold water or the residual heat will make your dressing separate into a sad oily mess
  • The salad needs those thirty minutes in the fridge to let the seasoning soften slightly and meld with the creamy base
03 -
  • Buy one of those large English cucumbers instead of regular ones because fewer seeds means your salad stays crisp longer
  • Double the everything bagel seasoning if you are serving serious garlic lovers
Go back