Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Print View)

Refreshing pasta salad with crisp cucumbers, tender shells, fresh dill, and creamy tangy dressing perfect for summer.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 1/2 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 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 well combined.
03 - Add cooled pasta, diced cucumber, sliced green onions, and fresh dill to the dressing. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
04 - Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the salad and fold carefully 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 salad to chill completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The everything bagel seasoning adds this incredible savory crunch that makes people pause and wonder what your secret ingredient is
  • It's one of those rare dishes that actually tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or make-ahead entertaining
02 -
  • Rinsing your pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch that would otherwise make the dressing gummy
  • The everything bagel seasoning will get soggy if you add it too far ahead, so wait until just before serving if you're making this a day in advance
03 -
  • If you're making this ahead, wait to add the cucumbers until a few hours before serving so they stay crisp and don't release water into the dressing
  • The flavor actually improves after sitting overnight, so don't hesitate to make it the day before a big event
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