Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Printer-friendly)

Tender shell pasta tossed with crisp cucumbers, fresh dill, and creamy tangy dressing enhanced 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 cucumber, diced (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 1/2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add shell pasta and cook according to package instructions 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 ground black pepper until the mixture reaches a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
03 - Add the cooled pasta, diced cucumber, sliced green onions, and fresh chopped dill to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss all components until evenly coated.
04 - Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning over the salad and fold gently until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasonings as needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and for optimal serving temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you can set up a folding table, making it ideal for last-minute gatherings.
  • The everything bagel seasoning adds a salty, garlicky kick that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • It stays crisp and flavorful in the fridge, so you can make it the night before without any sogginess.
  • Even picky eaters who claim they don't like pasta salad end up going back for seconds.
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta under cold water right after draining, or it will clump together into a sticky mess that no amount of stirring will fix.
  • Dice the cucumber into small, even pieces so every forkful has a little crunch, not awkward chunks that fall off your spoon.
  • Add the everything bagel seasoning at the end, because mixing it in too early can make it soggy and dull.
03 -
  • Use a box grater to mince the garlic if you don't have a press, it breaks down finer and blends into the dressing without leaving harsh bits.
  • If you can't find everything bagel seasoning, make your own by mixing sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and flaky salt.
  • Taste the salad after it's been chilled, because the flavors mellow in the fridge and you might want to add a pinch more salt or a squeeze of lemon.
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