Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

pasta salad mixed with chopped pickles and cheese tossed in dill mayonnaise sour cream dressing in a glass bowl

At Ajpal, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

Creamy Pasta Salad With Pickles

Creamy Pickle Pasta Salad is a delicious and flavorful pasta salad that combines the tangy taste of dill pickles with a creamy dressing.

The pasta is combined with diced pickles, red onion, celery, and carrots, and then coated in a mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, dill pickle juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. The result is a tangy and crunchy pasta salad that is perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, or potlucks.

The flavors will develop and meld together as the salad chills, making it an ideal make-ahead dish, perfect for BBQs and cookouts, with Smoked Pork Ribs, Easy Smashburgers, or main dishes like Baked Pork Tenderloin!

How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

Rotini Pasta. Cooked pasta, which is the base of the dish, provides a neutral canvas for the other flavors to shine. The cooked and ready pasta is a great starting point, as it provides a sturdy base for the other ingredients.
Sliced pickles. The sliced pickles are the star of the dish, providing a tangy, briny flavor that balances out the richness of the dressing. The pickles also add a crunchy texture to the salad, which is a great contrast to the soft pasta.
Diced cheddar cheese. The diced cheddar cheese adds a sharp, salty flavor that complements the pickles. The cheese also provides a creamy texture and helps to bind the ingredients together.
Mayonnaise and sour cream. The mayonnaise and sour cream are the base of the dressing, providing a creamy texture and richness to the dish.
Pickle Juice, Dill, Pepper, & Celery Seed. The addition of pickle juice, dill, celery seed, and pepper add additional flavor and depth to the dressing, making it tangy and well-rounded.

pickles, mayonnaise, cheese, oil, pasta, herbs in bowls on a table

mixed pasta salad with cheese and pickles in a glass bowl

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:

Prep. Cook pasta to al dente, drain well. Set the cooked pasta aside in a large bowl.
Mix dressing. In a medium bowl, mix together the: mayo, sour cream, pickle juice, dill, celery seed, and pepper.
Mix pasta. Add the pickles, cheese and onion to the pasta. Mix. Add in the dressing and mix to coat.
Chill. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours at minimum.
Enjoy! Serve cold and enjoy!

a wooden spoon scooping pasta salad mixed with chopped pickles and cheese tossed in dill mayonnaise sour cream dressing in a glass bowl

Tips and Tricks to Perfect Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Use the right pasta: Choose a pasta shape that will hold onto the dressing, such as rotini or elbow macaroni.

Cook the pasta properly: Make sure to cook the pasta al dente, which means that it should be firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy in the salad.

Chill the pasta: After cooking, rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and to cool it down. This will help the pasta absorb the dressing better.

Use good quality pickles: Choose high-quality, crunchy dill pickles for the best flavor.

Cut the pickles evenly: Make sure to cut the pickles into small, evenly sized pieces so that each bite of the salad has a good balance of ingredients.

Make the dressing ahead of time: The flavors of the dressing will develop and meld together if you make it a day in advance. This will make the salad even tastier.

Chill the salad: Letting the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour (or overnight) will allow the flavors to intensify and the pasta to absorb the dressing.

Stir in the cheese at the last minute: Adding the cheese just before serving will help it to retain its texture and flavor.

By following these tips, you can make a perfect Dill Pickle Pasta Salad that is tangy, creamy, and delicious. Enjoy!

FAQs

Pasta salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container – but we find the texture is best for 1-2 days.

Pasta salad with mayonnaise is best when served chilled – to keep the salad safe to consume, keep the mayonnaise from separating, and enhance the flavors.

We love peas, broccoli, or diced ham mixed in as well!

pasta salad mixed with chopped pickles and cheese tossed in dill mayonnaise sour cream dressing in a glass bowl and a wooden spoon in the bowl

What to Serve With Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

We love to serve pasta salads with BBQ food, meats, and main dishes – the rich creamy pasta is a great side for potlucks! Try our Smoked Pulled Pork, Crunchy Baked Chicken Drumsticks, or Perfect Grilled Chicken Breasts!

For more of our BBQ main dishes, find our recent favorites here: