Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Printable version)

Tender pasta tossed with crisp cucumbers, fresh dill, and a zesty creamy dressing, finished with everything bagel seasoning.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook the shell pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
03 - Add the cooled pasta, diced cucumber, green onions, and fresh dill to the bowl. Toss gently to combine.
04 - Sprinkle in the everything bagel seasoning and fold until evenly distributed.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes for best flavor before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The everything bagel seasoning creates this addictive savory crunch that people cant quite identify but keep reaching for
  • Its one of those rare salads that actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a day
02 -
  • Overcooking the pasta is the death of this salad because it continues softening as it sits in the dressing
  • The salad needs that minimum 30 minutes in the fridge for the flavors to really marry and the pasta to absorb some of the dressing
03 -
  • Pat the cucumber dry with paper towels after dicing to prevent the dressing from becoming watery
  • If making ahead, hold back about a quarter of the dressing and stir it in right before serving to refresh the creaminess
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