This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a flavor explosion! It’s a creamy, tangy, and incredibly delicious pasta salad that’s packed with the unmistakable flavor of dill pickles. I love how this recipe is both easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, picnics, or any time you’re craving a unique and flavorful pasta salad. Get ready for a dish that will have everyone asking for the recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Bold Dill Pickle Flavor: This salad is a dill pickle lover’s dream, with dill pickle juice in both the pasta and the dressing.
- Creamy and Tangy: The combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and pickle juice creates a perfectly creamy and tangy dressing.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Perfect for Potlucks: It’s a great dish to bring to potlucks, barbecues, and picnics.
- Unique and Delicious: A fun and flavorful twist on traditional pasta salad.
Ingredients for Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Here’s what you’ll need to make this tangy salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Salad
- Elbow pasta (Pasta)
- Dill pickle juice (straight from the jar) (Flavoring)
- Cheddar cheese, small diced (Dairy)
- Sliced dill pickles (Pickles)
- Fresh dill, chopped (Herb)
- White onion, finely chopped (Vegetable)
Creamy Dill Dressing
- Mayonnaise (Condiment)
- Sour Cream (Dairy)
- Dill pickle juice (straight from the jar) (Flavoring)
- Sriracha (or other hot sauce) (Condiment)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Black pepper (Spice)
- Fresh dill, chopped (Herb)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Add Bacon: Cooked and crumbled bacon would be a delicious addition.
- Different Cheese: Use a blend of cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
- Add More Veggies: Toss in some chopped celery, bell peppers, or red onion.
- Different Pasta: Use a different type of short pasta, such as rotini, fusilli, or shells.
How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad:
Cook the Pasta
- I cook the pasta according to package instructions, just until al dente.
- I rinse the pasta and drain it well.
Infuse Pasta with Pickle Juice
- I add the cooked pasta to a mixing bowl and combine it with ½ cup of pickle juice (straight out of the jar).
- I let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb the pickle flavor, then drain.
Make the Creamy Dill Dressing
- I mix together all the creamy dill dressing ingredients (mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle juice, Sriracha, salt, pepper, and fresh dill) in a mixing bowl.
Combine and Chill
- I add the drained pasta, cheddar cheese, sliced dill pickles, chopped fresh dill, and finely chopped white onion to a serving bowl.
- I toss everything with the creamy dill dressing until well combined.
- I refrigerate the pasta salad for 4-6 hours for best flavor. This allows the flavors to meld together and the pasta to absorb the dressing.
- serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Pasta Salad
Here are my secrets for making this pasta salad truly exceptional:
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until al dente, as it will soften slightly as it sits in the dressing.
- Rinse and Drain Well: Rinsing the pasta after cooking removes excess starch and prevents it from sticking together. Draining it well prevents the salad from becoming watery.
- Use Dill Pickle Juice: Don’t skip the dill pickle juice! It’s the key ingredient that gives this salad its signature flavor.
- Chill Before Serving: Chilling the salad for at least a few hours allows the flavors to meld together.
How to Serve
This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is perfect for:
- Potlucks and Barbecues: A great side dish for potlucks, barbecues, and picnics.
- Summer Meals: A refreshing and flavorful side dish for summer meals.
- Lunch: A satisfying and delicious lunch option.
- Side Dish: Serve it alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, or burgers.
Make Ahead and Storage
This pasta salad is best made ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
FAQs about Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Can I use a different type of pasta?
- Yes, you can use any type of short pasta you like.
- Can I make this without the sour cream?
- You can substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt or mayonnaise.
- Can I use dried dill instead of fresh?
- Yes, you can use dried dill, but fresh dill has a brighter flavor. Use about 1 teaspoon of dried dill for every tablespoon of fresh dill.
Enjoy this tangy, creamy, and incredibly delicious Dill Pickle Pasta Salad! It’s a unique and flavorful twist on a classic dish that’s sure to be a hit.
Print
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a tangy, creamy, and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or barbecues. Elbow macaroni is combined with cheddar cheese, dill pickles, fresh dill, and a creamy, pickle-infused dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
- 1/2 cup dill pickle juice (straight from the jar), divided
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into small dice
- 1 cup dill pickles, sliced
- 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 3 tablespoons white onion, finely chopped
For the Creamy Dill Dressing:
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup dill pickle juice (straight from the jar)
- 1/4 teaspoon Sriracha (or other hot sauce, optional)
- Salt, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Marinate Pasta: While the pasta is still warm, place it in a large mixing bowl. Pour half (1/4 cup) of the dill pickle juice over the warm pasta. Toss gently to combine. Let the pasta sit for 5 minutes to absorb the pickle juice. Drain off any remaining pickle juice that hasn’t been absorbed.
- Make Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, 1/4 cup dill pickle juice, Sriracha (if using), salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, combine the drained pasta, diced cheddar cheese, sliced dill pickles, 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill, and finely chopped white onion.
- Add Dressing: Pour the creamy dill dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld. This chilling step significantly improves the flavor.
- Serve.
Notes
- Pasta: Elbow macaroni is traditional, but you can use other short pasta shapes, such as rotini, shells, or farfalle. Cook the pasta al dente (firm to the bite) so it doesn’t become mushy in the salad.
- Dill Pickle Juice: Using dill pickle juice in both the pasta and the dressing adds extra dill pickle flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese: You can use mild, medium, or sharp cheddar cheese. Dicing the cheese into small cubes, rather than shredding it, helps it hold its shape in the salad.
- Dill Pickles: Use your favorite brand of dill pickles.
- Fresh Dill: Fresh dill adds the best flavor, but you can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried dill for each tablespoon of fresh dill.
- White Onion: White onion has a sharper flavor than yellow onion. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use a sweet onion or soak the chopped white onion in cold water for 10-15 minutes to mellow the flavor. Red onion could be used as well.
- Make-Ahead: This pasta salad is best made ahead of time to allow the flavors to develop.
- Serving Suggestions: This salad is a great side dish for barbecues, picnics, potlucks, or any gathering.
- Storage: store in fridge