Pin A tangy, creamy pasta salad bursting with dill pickles, cheddar, and fresh herbs perfect for picnics and potlucks.
I have always enjoyed making this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad for family gatherings as it never fails to impress guests with its unique flavor.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 12 oz (340 g) budget rotini pasta, salt for boiling water
- Vegetables & Pickles: 1 1/2 cups (225 g) dill pickles diced, 1/2 cup (60 g) red onion finely diced, 2/3 cup (90 g) celery diced, 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh dill chopped
- Cheese: 1 cup (115 g) sharp cheddar cheese cubed or shredded
- Dressing: 3/4 cup (180 ml) mayonnaise, 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream, 2 tbsp (30 ml) dill pickle juice, 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced pickles, red onion, celery, cheddar cheese, and fresh dill.
- Step 3:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
- Step 4:
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Step 5:
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 6:
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving. Garnish with extra dill if desired.
Pin This salad always brings smiles at family picnics and we love sharing it with friends.
Required Tools
Large pot, colander, large mixing bowl, whisk, cutting board & knife
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (cheddar cheese sour cream mayonnaise), Eggs (mayonnaise possibly in pasta). May contain gluten (rotini pasta) use gluten-free pasta if needed
Nutritional Information
Calories 350, Total Fat 21 g, Carbohydrates 31 g, Protein 9 g per serving
Pin Enjoy this refreshing Dill Pickle Pasta Salad as a perfect side for your next meal or gathering.
Recipe Q&A
- → What type of pasta works best?
Rotini is ideal due to its shape, which holds dressing and ingredients well, but other short pastas like fusilli or penne also work.
- → How can I enhance the pickle flavor?
Add extra dill pickle juice or more chopped pickles to intensify the tangy notes in the dish.
- → Can I substitute sour cream?
Yes, Greek yogurt is a great lighter alternative that maintains creaminess and adds slight tang.
- → Is it necessary to chill the salad before serving?
Chilling for at least an hour allows flavors to meld and the texture to improve, making it more refreshing to eat.
- → How do I store leftovers?
Keep the salad covered in the refrigerator; it stays fresh for up to a day but is best enjoyed chilled.
- → Can I add protein to this dish?
Yes, cooked bacon or sliced hard-boiled eggs add extra flavor and protein to the salad.
