Quick and easy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad combines cellentani pasta, dill pickles, sharp cheddar, and fresh dill in a creamy mayonnaise and sour cream base. What’s not to love about a chilled pasta salad with dill pickles and sweet fresh dill? This tasty dish takes about 20 minutes to make, and it is the ideal side dish for all your summer grilling and a nice change from potato salad.
How to make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Start by cooking your pasta al dente according to package instructions and drain well. Rinse a little cold water over the pasta and toss in the colander to stop the cooking process. Add the pasta to a large bowl.
In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, onion powder, and fresh dill. Stir the mayonnaise mixture, dill pickles, and cubed cheddar cheese into the pasta. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh dill or fresh parsley.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe notes
- This pasta salad can be made ahead of time, but wait until you are ready to serve to combine it with the dressing.
- Other pasta choices include rotini pasta or elbow macaroni.
- People always ask me if I should use Miracle Whip or real mayonnaise. I am partial to real mayo and especially fond of the flavor of Dukes. However, I am sure that this salad would taste delicious with Miracle Whip as well.
- Cut the cheese into small cubes. Other cheeses that work well with this include white cheddar, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack Cheese.
- I like the baby dill pickles for this salad, but any size dill pickle works as long as you cut them up.
- Other seasonings to experiment with include garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, or even a little Cajun seasoning.
- Make it a full meal by adding protein. Think ham, chicken, or bacon
- Other fresh veggies to add include cherry tomatoes, or celery, bell peppers, and red onion for added crunch.
- Keep this salad covered and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If it seems a little dry add a little bit of mayo, sour cream, or a splash of pickle juice.
What does cooking pasta al dente mean?
Al dente is an Italian phrase meaning “to the tooth,” and it means that pasta should be cooked fairly firm and not limp and soft. This rule should apply to all your pasta dishes but is particularly important when it comes to pasta salads and pasta that will be reheated in a skillet with sauce or other ingredients.
The best way to cook pasta al dente is to set the timer to the lowest recommended time on the package. Then carefully pull a couple of noodles out of the pot to test them but be careful. They will be very hot so don’t get burnt. If it needs more time, set it for 1 more minute and check it again. When you think it is just about time, go ahead and pull it because it is inevitable that it will take you another 30 seconds to get it off the stove. Keep in mind that it will have some structure and a little bite to it and not feel like a limp noodle.
More pasta salads to try!
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Orzo Pasta Salad
- Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Spaghetti Salad
Macaroni Salad
Dill Pickle Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Salad Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup dill pickle juice from the pickle jar
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon fresh chopped dill plus more for garnish
Pasta
- 1 lb. cellentani or corkscrew pasta
- 2 cups diced baby dill pickles plus more for garnish
- 1 ½ cups cubed sharp cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta al dente according to the package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse with a little cold water to stop the cooking process and keep your pasta from sticking. Drain well and add the pasta to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, onion powder, and fresh dill.
- Stir the mayonnaise mixture, dill pickles, and cheddar cheese cubes into the pasta.
- Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh dill.
Notes
- This pasta salad can be made ahead of time, but wait until you are ready to serve to combine it with the dressing.
- People always ask me if I should use Miracle Whip or real mayonnaise. I am partial to real mayo and especially fond of Dukes. However, I am sure that this salad would taste delicious with Miracle Whip as well.
- Cut the cheese into small cubes. Other cheeses that work well with this include white cheddar, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack Cheese.
- I like the baby dill pickles for this salad, but any size dill pickle works as long as you cut them up.
- Other seasonings to experiment with include garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, or even a little Cajun seasoning.
- Make it a full meal by adding protein. Think ham, chicken, or bacon
- Other fresh veggies to add include cherry tomatoes, celery, bell peppers, and red onion.
- Keep this salad covered and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If it seems a little dry, add a little bit of mayo, sour cream, or a splash of pickle juice.
Nutrition
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Gervin Khan
Wow! This salad recipe was absolutely delicious and yummy! Such a unique salad recipe! We Loved it!
CSNA Media
I never thought I would say this about DILL PICKLE’s, but this was amazing; how do you come up with these recipes? I’m mind blown; I burn toast more than once a week.
Thanks for sharing!
Blair Villanueva
Thanks for sharing with us this delicious dill pickle pasta salad. My friends loved it!
Jennifer Prince
I love the idea of adding pickles to pasta salad. I’ve never had one that included pickles, but it sounds delish!
Elise Ho
This was a wonderful pasta salad. The addition of pickles is so unique but of course I love them!
Maureen
I’ve never had a dill pickle pasta salad before but you’ve piqued my interest. I can’t wait to try this one especially since I am a fan of pickles. I think they are SO good!
Stephanie
I’ve never heard of pickles in a pasta salad before. While I don’t care for pickles, I made this for my family and my pickle-loving husband and kids really enjoyed the recipe! It was the perfect side for our hamburgers.
Erin
So delicious and easy! Thanks for the great recipe!
Tayler
I made this pasta salad to share with friends yesterday and everyone loved it! Thanks so much for sharing!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Tayler!
Jamie
The dill pickle flavor was such a great addition to this pasta salad! I loved the creamy and tangy flavor together! A winner!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jamie! So glad that you liked it!
Toni
This is such an amazing salad!! It was a huge hit at my house!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Toni! So happy that everyone liked it!
Sandra
I love everything in this salad! So refreshing and really flavorful!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Sandra!
Sara Welch
Pasta salad is a summertime staple in our home and this recipe is no exception! Easily, a new favorite dish; my whole family loved it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Sara! So glad that you liked it!
cam
This was so easy to make and throw together last minute! It was perfect to bring to a BBQ with some friends and everyone loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Cam! So glad that everyone liked it!
Amanda
I have been looking for a new twist on pasta salad. This will be perfect!
Rosey
I bet the dill adds just the right touch of tang. I’d love to try this one.
Beth Pierce
Yes it really does.