If you love pickles, this will be your new favorite recipe! It's a Dill Pickle Pasta Salad that's creamy, crunchy, and packed with pickle flavor.
About The Recipe
This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a fun twist on a classic pasta salad. It's made with chopped dill pickles, cheddar cheese cubes, diced red onion, fresh dill and chives. The dressing is a classic mix mayonnaise and sour cream, but it also uses some pickle juice for added flavor!
One of the best parts of this recipe is that it can be made ahead of time. It tastes even better after it sits because the flavors meld together. This recipe also makes a large batch, which is perfect for meal prep or to make ahead and bring to a potluck.
Ingredient Notes
Rotini Pasta: This curly pasta holds onto the dressing well. You could also use fusilli, penne, or bowtie pasta.
Dill Pickles: Dill pickles are recommended for this recipe because they have a tangy flavor that balances the sweet, creaminess of the dressing. I like to use classic dill pickle but you could also use baby dills. You could substitute bread and butter pickles but they will make the salad sweeter.
Chives & Fresh Dill: These herbs add freshness to the dish. If you don't have chives, you can use finely chopped green onions.
Cayenne Pepper: This adds depth of flavor and some very mild spice to the dressing but feel free to leave it out if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this pasta salad can be made ahead of time. Make it up to a day ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Stir well before serving.
When stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, this recipe will stay good for up to 3-5 days.
Classic dill pickle spears work best for this recipe. The more flavorful the pickles, the better.
How to Serve This Recipe
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad can be a side dish or a main course. It's especially popular for potlucks or barbecues because it can be made ahead of time and makes a large batch.
How to Store Leftovers
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Stir well before serving. This is a great recipe to have leftovers of because the flavors will strengthen and get even tastier over time as it sits.
Top Tips
Season to taste: Once you've made your dressing, taste and adjust it with more salt, pepper, dijon, or cayenne to fit your personal preference.
Let it chill: For best flavor, if possible, this salad should chill in the fridge for an hour before serving.
Chopping the pickles: Cut your dill pickle spears into bite-sized chunks instead of finely dicing them for best texture.
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Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
If you love pickles, this will be your new favorite recipe! It's a Dill Pickle Pasta Salad that's creamy, crunchy, and packed with pickle flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 2 ½ cups diced dill pickles (about 5-6 pickles)
- 1 ½ cups cubed sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a small bowl, stir together the dressing ingredients.
Add the salad ingredients, including the cooked pasta, to a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing on top and toss until mixed. - For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for an hour before serving. Toss once more before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅛th of recipe
- Calories: 272
- Sugar: 2.1g
- Sodium: 1568mg
- Fat: 14.8g
- Saturated Fat: 6.7g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 5.1g
- Protein: 14.5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: pasta salad, pickle, dill pickle, pasta, summer, easy, side, side dish, side salad, main, main course, dinner, lunch, cheese, creamy, mayo, mayonnaise, trendy, viral, spring, salad
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