Description
A tangy and creamy pasta salad bursting with the bold flavor of dill pickles! This easy side dish is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or BBQs, and will quickly become a favorite among pickle lovers.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) rotini or elbow pasta
- 1 cup dill pickles, diced (plus 2 tbsp pickle juice)
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp dill pickle juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried dill (or 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down completely. Set aside.
- Prepare the Dressing:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust pickle juice if you want a tangier flavor.
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced pickles, red onion, celery, and shredded cheddar cheese (if using).
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve:
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
- Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with additional fresh dill if desired.
Notes
- For extra pickle flavor, add a few teaspoons of finely chopped fresh dill or diced dill pickle spears.
- To make it lighter, use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream or half the mayonnaise.
- Serve as a side dish or add cooked chicken or ham for a hearty main dish.