Check out more of the best summer pasta recipes like One Pot Pasta Primavera, Tomato Basil Pasta and Sun Dried Tomato and Spinach Orzo. Pickle lovers – this Pickle Pasta Salad is for you. My love for dill goes way back. I’ve been making Dill Pickle Soup for a decade now! The pickle flavor in this pasta salad recipe comes from two ingredients. The first and foremost being the pickles themselves, which not only add flavor but amazing texture! I love the crunch they provide in contrast to the tender pasta and cheddar cheese. There’s also a good amount of salty and sweet pickle juice in this recipe. Some of the juice is used just to coat the pasta to give it even more flavor. The rest is mixed into the dressing to really seal the dill (get it?) on that pickle flavor! Add a big handful of fresh dill and you’ve got a flavor explosion!
Why we love this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe:
Pickle-tastic: Bites of crunchy pickles and pickle juice come together to satisfy your craving in the best way. Summery: When the sun is beating down and you need something light for your next picnic, this is the recipe to turn to! It’s always a hit at pool parties, potlucks and more. Easy: This pickle pasta salad recipe comes together in no time with inexpensive ingredients and easy to follow steps.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Ingredients Needed:
Pasta: I use rotini pasta, but any other small shape will work just fine. The goal is to be able to fit all of the ingredients on your fork at once. Cavatappi, elbow macaroni or bowtie pasta all get the job done! Pickles: You can go sweeter, more salty, or even hot! Use your favorite pickles in this versatile recipe. Take it up a notch by using this homemade dill pickle recipe! Pickle Juice: If you have any left over, don’t toss out the jar! You can use pickle juice to brine chicken, freeze and enjoy as pickle pops, or even use it to chase whiskey with as a pickleback shot. The options here are pretty broad! Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is my favorite to use. However, there’s room for creativity here! Comment below and let me know what cheese you liked best. Sour Cream and Mayo: These two can either be regular or low fat. Just note that if you opt for low fat ingredients, your dressing may not be quite as thick and creamy. Dill: For the best flavor, try to use fresh dill (not dried).
How to make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Here’s a sneak peek at how to make this easy pasta salad recipe! For more information about ingredients measurements and step by step instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
Measure the mayo, pickle juice, dill, sour cream, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix to fully combine.
Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain, then toss with ¼ cup pickle juice. Set aside to cool completely. Once the pasta has cooled, toss it with the dressing and fold in the cheese and pickles.
Variations and Substitutions
The flavor of the pickles – My family likes this pasta salad best with sweet pickles. However, you can use any pickles you want! Salty, sweet, spicy, whatever sounds good to you. Add some veggies – This pasta salad with pickles is a little light on veggies, so you can always add some! Cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, sliced red or white onion are all wonderful options. Bacon – Sprinkling bacon bits on just about anything is always a good idea, right? Just make sure they’re totally cooled to room temperature and drained of grease before adding to the pasta salad. Change the cheese – While I love cheddar, feel free to use pepper jack or colby jack cheese instead!
How to store Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
You can keep your dill pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2-3 days. You may find that the pasta soaks up the dressing, so feel free to stir in some extra pickle juice, sour cream or mayo (with a fresh sprinkling of dill so the flavor isn’t diluted!) just before serving.
Can I freeze Dill Pickle Pasta Salad?
I recommend enjoying this pasta salad while it’s fresh! It won’t hold up to well in the freezer.
Serving suggestions:
Planning a picnic? Considering adding more delicious dishes to your basket like Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins, Tortilla Roll Ups (Pizza Style) and some perfectly cut Pineapple to really round out your lunch. Check out How to Pack the Ultimate Picnic for more inspo! Of course, you could always serve this pasta salad with your dinner! Serve it up with barbecue favorites like this BBQ Chicken (or this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe!) or some Oven Baked Ribs and some Grilled Potatoes.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Love!
Tortellini Pasta Salad — the tortellini adds a fun twist to classic pasta salad! Greek Pasta Salad — full of fresh flavor! Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad — so hearty it eats like a meal. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad — you can’t go wrong with bacon!
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