Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

A fresh blend of pasta, cucumber, dill, and tangy dressing for light summer enjoyment.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz small shell pasta
02 - 1 tsp 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 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Boil shell pasta in large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
02 - Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until smooth.
03 - Add cooled pasta, diced cucumber, green onions, and fresh dill to the bowl. Toss gently until evenly mixed.
04 - Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over mixture and fold it in evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for optimal flavor.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The creamy dressing clings to every tiny shell, so you get flavor in every bite
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a day, making it perfect for make-ahead meals
  • That everything bagel seasoning creates this addictive salty crunch that people cannot quite identify but cannot stop eating
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta with cold water is not optional—it stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch that would otherwise make your dressing gummy
  • The everything bagel seasoning will soften over time, so add half initially and the rest right before serving for the best texture
  • This salad tastes significantly better after sitting for at least an hour, giving the dill time to infuse throughout the dressing
03 -
  • Cut your cucumbers slightly larger than you think you should—they will release water and soften as the salad sits
  • Pat your diced cucumbers dry with a paper towel before adding them to prevent your dressing from becoming watery
  • If you cannot find everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried garlic, and dried onion will get you close
Go Back