Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Printable)

Tender shells tossed with crisp cucumbers, fresh dill, and a tangy creamy dressing topped with everything bagel seasoning.

# What You 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 - 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 and well combined.
03 - Add the cooled pasta, diced cucumber, green onions, and fresh dill to the bowl. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
04 - Sprinkle in the everything bagel seasoning and fold until evenly distributed throughout the salad.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes for best flavor development before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The creamy tangy dressing clings perfectly to those little shell pasta cups
  • Everything bagel seasoning turns ordinary pasta salad into something addictive
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water is non negotiable it stops the cooking and prevents those shells from turning into a gummy mess
  • The salad needs at least 30 minutes in the fridge but honestly it tastes even better the next day
03 -
  • Cut your cucumbers into small even dice so you get crunch in every single bite
  • Toast the everything bagel seasoning in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding it to unlock next level flavor
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