Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Print)

Refreshing pasta salad with crisp cucumbers, fresh dill, and creamy dressing topped with everything bagel seasoning.

# Components:

→ Pasta

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

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups cucumber, diced
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 - Cook shell pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain 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 black pepper until smooth and combined.
03 - Add cooled pasta, diced cucumber, sliced green onions, and fresh dill to the dressing. Toss gently until all components are evenly coated.
04 - Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the salad and fold until evenly distributed throughout.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes better the next day, so you can make it ahead and forget about it until company arrives.
  • The everything bagel seasoning does all the heavy lifting, adding crunch and flavor without any extra work.
  • You can eat it straight from the fridge with a spoon and no one will judge you.
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta under cold water right after draining or it will clump together into one giant pasta blob that no amount of stirring can fix.
  • Add the everything bagel seasoning at the very end, not in the dressing, or it will get soggy and lose all its crunch.
03 -
  • Use a box grater to mince the garlic into a paste so it distributes evenly and you don't bite into a raw chunk.
  • Toast extra everything bagel seasoning in a dry pan for 30 seconds to bring out the flavor, then sprinkle it on top right before serving for maximum crunch.
Back