Description
This creamy dill pickle pasta salad is a tangy, crunchy, and refreshing summer side dish, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or family dinners. Loaded with crunchy pickles, sharp cheddar, and a zippy dressing, it’s a crowd-pleaser even for pickle skeptics.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz small pasta shells or rotini (cooked al dente)
- 1 cup chopped dill pickles
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion (optional)
- 1/3 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat preferred)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 tbsp dill pickle juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried dill (or 2 tsp fresh, chopped)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste (start with 1/4 tsp, adjust as needed)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
- Extra pickles for topping (optional)
- Chopped cooked bacon (optional, for a smoky twist)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8–10 minutes until just al dente.
- Drain pasta well in a colander, rinse with cold water, and shake off excess water.
- While pasta cooks, chop dill pickles, cheddar cheese, red onion, celery, and green onions.
- If using bacon or other mix-ins, prep those now.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, dill, black pepper, and salt until creamy and smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped pickles, cheese, red onion, celery, and green onions.
- Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is well coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to overnight) to allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, stir lightly and add extra mayo or sour cream if salad seems dry.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or extra pickles if desired.
Notes
For best flavor, chill the salad for at least 1 hour before serving. Use crunchy dill pickles for texture and avoid sweet pickles. The salad is easily adaptable for gluten-free, vegan, or low-carb diets by swapping pasta and dairy ingredients. If making ahead, stir before serving and add extra dressing if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 33
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: dill pickle pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer side dish, picnic salad, vegetarian, easy pasta salad, potluck recipe