Save There's something about the lazy days of summer that makes me crave pasta salad, and the first time I tossed together this everything bagel version, I realized I'd been missing out on a whole dimension of flavor. A friend had left a container of everything bagel seasoning on my counter, and I was determined to use it beyond just cream cheese and toast. The result was so good I've made it at least once a month since, each time thinking it couldn't get better, and each time being pleasantly surprised.
I made this for a backyard gathering last July, and watching people go back for thirds of something that started as a "let me use up what's in the fridge" moment felt like winning the lottery. One guest asked for the recipe before even finishing their plate, which is always the highest compliment a home cook can get.
Ingredients
- Short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli): 250 g or 9 oz works best here because the curly or ridged shapes trap the creamy dressing beautifully, so every bite tastes complete.
- Cooked chicken breasts: About 300 g or 10 oz shredded or diced gives you lean protein without overwhelming the salad, and rotisserie chicken saves you a step if you're in a hurry.
- Cherry tomatoes: One cup halved provides brightness and a little burst of acidity that balances the richness of the dressing.
- Cucumber: Half a cup diced keeps things crisp and cool, almost like a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy elements.
- Red onion: Just a quarter cup finely diced prevents it from being overpowering while still giving you that sharpness that makes the other flavors pop.
- Celery: Half a cup thinly sliced adds an earthy crunch that you might not expect but absolutely need.
- Scallions: A quarter cup sliced brings a subtle onion flavor that feels fresher than raw onion alone.
- Mayonnaise: 120 g or half a cup forms the creamy base, and honestly, don't skimp on quality here because you'll taste the difference.
- Plain Greek yogurt: 60 g or a quarter cup lightens the dressing and adds tang without making it feel heavy.
- Lemon juice: Just one tablespoon brightens everything and prevents the dressing from feeling flat or one-note.
- Dijon mustard: Two teaspoons adds a subtle complexity that makes people ask what the secret ingredient is.
- Everything bagel seasoning: One tablespoon plus extra for garnish is the star here, delivering garlic, onion, sesame, and poppy seeds all at once.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to taste because every Greek yogurt and mayo brand behaves a little differently.
- Feta or cream cheese cubes (optional): 50 g or a quarter cup adds richness if you want to push the bagel-and-cream-cheese vibes even further.
- Fresh dill (optional): One tablespoon chopped ties everything to that bagel shop feeling if you go that route.
Instructions
- Get the pasta ready:
- Boil salted water in a large pot, add your pasta, and cook until it's just barely tender to the bite. Drain it and rinse under cold running water until it's completely cooled, which takes about a minute.
- Combine everything:
- In a large bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, celery, and scallions so every piece mingles with the others.
- Make the dressing:
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, and everything bagel seasoning until smooth and combined. Taste it and adjust salt and pepper until it feels right to you.
- Bring it all together:
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss with a large spoon until every strand and vegetable is coated evenly. It should look creamy and cohesive, not dry or clumpy.
- Add optional touches:
- If you're using feta or cream cheese and dill, fold them in gently so they stay somewhat distinct rather than disappearing into the salad.
- Let it chill:
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors meld together and the whole dish becomes something greater than its parts. Overnight is even better.
- Finish and serve:
- Just before serving, sprinkle a little extra everything bagel seasoning on top for a flavor boost and a visual reminder of what makes this salad special.
Save One of my favorite memories is my partner tasting this straight from the fridge at midnight and deciding it was good enough to bring to their family dinner the next day. Food that makes people reach for seconds without being asked, that makes people remember it days later, is the kind of cooking worth doing again and again.
Why Everything Bagel Is the Secret Weapon
Everything bagel seasoning is a flavor shortcut that doesn't feel like cheating because it hits so many notes at once. In one tablespoon you get garlic, onion, sesame, poppy, and salt all in perfect proportion, which means your dressing tastes more interesting than if you'd mixed up those components yourself. It's the kind of pantry staple that makes you look like a thoughtful cook without requiring extra work.
How to Make It Work for Your Life
This salad is incredibly flexible, which is part of why I keep making it. You can use rotisserie chicken if you don't have time to cook chicken breasts, you can swap in any vegetables you have on hand, and you can adjust the dressing ratio depending on whether you like things saucier or drier. The bones of the recipe stay the same while the details shift to whatever makes sense for your kitchen on any given day.
Storage and Variations That Work
This salad actually improves over a day or two in the fridge as the flavors continue to develop, so making it ahead is a genuine advantage rather than a compromise. If you want a lighter version, use all Greek yogurt instead of mayo, and if you're serving people with dietary restrictions, gluten-free pasta swaps in seamlessly without changing the character of the dish.
- Avocado or a drizzle of good olive oil can take it from weekday lunch to something closer to a dinner salad.
- Leftover rotisserie chicken means you can have this ready in the time it takes to cook pasta, which is the definition of practical cooking.
- Keep the extra everything bagel seasoning within reach because you'll want to sprinkle more on top just before eating, and each bite tastes like a reminder of why you made this in the first place.
Save This is the kind of recipe that becomes a staple not because it's complicated, but because it reliably delivers something delicious and makes people happy. That's the whole point, really.
Recipe FAQ
- → What pasta works best for this dish?
Short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or fusilli hold the dressing well and provide a good texture contrast.
- → Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Yes, chilling for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the dish to develop its full taste.
- → Is there a lighter dressing alternative?
Replacing mayonnaise with all Greek yogurt lightens the dressing while maintaining creaminess and tang.
- → Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking fresh?
Rotisserie chicken works well for convenience and adds flavorful, shredded protein to the salad.
- → Are there any suggested additions to enhance flavor?
Adding crumbled feta or cream cheese cubes and fresh dill can introduce extra richness and aroma.
- → How should the pasta be prepared for this dish?
Cook pasta until al dente, then rinse under cold water to stop cooking and keep it firm for the salad.