Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe
A tangy and creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad combines tender pasta shells with sharp cheddar, zesty pickles, and a flavorful homemade dill pickle dressing. Perfect for summer potlucks and picnics, this refreshing side dish offers a delightful balance of creamy, tangy, and herbaceous flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Veggies
- ½ pound medium pasta shells (about 3 cups)
- ¾ cup sliced dill pickles
- 3 tablespoons minced white onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Cheese
- ⅔ cup diced cheddar cheese
Dressing
- ½ cup dill pickle juice (plus an additional 4 tablespoons for dressing)
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta shells until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and immediately rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Soak Pasta: Toss the cooled pasta with about ½ cup of dill pickle juice and let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb the tangy flavor. Then drain and discard the pickle juice.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, 4 tablespoons of dill pickle juice, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the drained pasta, sliced pickles, diced cheddar cheese, minced onion, chopped dill, and the prepared dressing. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh dill and real dill pickle juice.
- You can substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the spice level.
- The salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Try adding chopped cucumbers or bell peppers for extra crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: dill pickle pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, picnic side dish, summer salad, dill pickle recipes
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/dill-pickle-pasta-salad-recipe/
