Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Printable)

Tender pasta shells with crisp cucumber and aromatic dill in a creamy dressing

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz small shell pasta
02 - 1 tsp 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 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped

→ Dressing

06 - ½ cup sour cream
07 - ¼ cup mayonnaise
08 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - ½ tsp salt
12 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper

→ Seasoning

13 - 1½ tbsp 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 creamy tangy dressing clings perfectly to those little shell pasta cups
  • Everything bagel seasoning turns ordinary pasta salad into something people cannot stop talking about
02 -
  • Rinsing pasta with cold water stops cooking and removes starch so the dressing does not get gummy
  • This salad actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge
03 -
  • Dry the drained pasta on a towel before mixing so the dressing clings instead of sliding off
  • Wait until just before serving to add half the everything bagel seasoning for maximum crunch
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