Pickles are having a bit of a moment—we’ve seen dill pickle flavor nuts, popcorn, deviled eggs…even dill pickle jelly beans! And what’s not to love? Dill pickles are tangy, herby, and salty. Today, we’re taking those flavor elements and working them into a summer classic: pasta salad. Dill pickle pasta salad, to be exact!
What is dill pickle pasta salad?
Dill pickle pasta salad takes the summer side dish favorite, pasta salad, and gives it a zesty, sweet-and-sour twist with dill pickles. Pickle lovers, this one’s for you—there’s even pickle juice in the dressing! Serve it up at your next potluck or summer barbecue, or have it as a light lunch option!
What do I need to make this pasta salad?
You’ll need:
- Rotini pasta. Elbow macaroni, bowtie pasta, fusilli, or other short noodle will work as well. Boil the noodles according to the package directions, then rinse under cool water to halt the cooking. Drain well before adding to the salad.
- Dill pickles. You’ll need about six spears, plus some of the pickle juice from the jar.
- Mild cheddar cheese. If you don’t have mild cheddar, you can substitute Monterey Jack or Colby jack cheese.
- Mayonnaise.
- Sour cream. The sour cream and mayo make up the base of the creamy dressing for this pasta salad.
- Fresh dill. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use one teaspoon of dried dill in place of the two tablespoons of fresh dill the recipe calls for.
- Garlic powder.
- Italian seasoning.
- Ground black pepper.
Protip: Hold the salt!
No salt? You may be wondering why there is no salt in the ingredient list. Dill pickle juice and the pickles themselves are plenty salty, so you don’t need any additional salt.
How do I make dill pickle pasta salad?
This one is super simple:
- Cook your pasta al dente, and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the noodles. Drain and stir with dill and cheddar cheese.
- Whisk together the dressing, and pour it over the pasta mixture. Toss to combine.
- Chill for at least an hour before serving, to give the flavors time to meld.
Protip: Mix then toss!
It seems tempting to just toss everything together in one big bowl, but that’s how you end up with lumpy dressing. Mix the dressing up separately before adding it to the salad.
Should I rinse pasta for pasta salad?
Yep! Rinsing the pasta under cold water will stop the noodles from cooking, and cool them down enough to be mixed into the pasta salad.
How long is dill pickle pasta salad good for in the fridge?
You can refrigerate this pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
Want more summer potluck ideas like this one?
Check out all our potluck favorites, including:
- Instant Pot potato salad
- Cucumber onion salad
- Split pea hummus, served with pita and fresh veggies
- Honey-mint melon salad
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe
This tangy, refreshing dill pickle pasta salad is the perfect dish for a summer barbecue or picnic. With simple ingredients and easy instructions, you can whip this up in no time!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini pasta (cooked, drained, and cooled)
- 2 cups chopped dill pickle (about 6 dill pickle spears)
- 8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the rotini pasta, chopped dill, and cheddar cheese cubes. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh dill, pickle juice, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and ground black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta, pickles, and cheese and toss to combine.
- Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour or until well chilled, then serve.
Notes
- We know it's tempting to toss everything into one bowl and save a step (and another dirty dish!), but whisking the dressing together before tossing with the pasta keeps it smooth and lump-free. Don't skip that step!
- This pasta salad will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 333Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 634mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 10g
At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.
