Dill Pickle Pasta Salad – Creamy, Crunchy & Bursting with Tangy Flavor!
Calling all pickle lovers! This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is creamy, refreshing, and loaded with crunchy pickles, tender pasta, fresh herbs, and a dill-packed dressing that brings it all together. It’s the perfect side for cookouts, picnics, potlucks—or any time you want a zesty twist on classic pasta salad. Get ready for bold flavor in every single bite!
🛒 Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (rotini, shells, or macaroni)
- 1 cup chopped dill pickles
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but delish)
- ⅓ cup finely diced red onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
- ½ cup pickle juice (reserved from the jar)
For the Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1–2 tablespoons pickle juice (for extra zing)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or onion powder
🔄 Substitutions
Pasta: Use gluten-free or chickpea pasta
Mayo: Swap with avocado mayo or all Greek yogurt
Pickles: Use spicy dill, bread & butter, or gherkins for a twist
Cheese: Sub with cubed mozzarella, Colby Jack, or skip it for a lighter version
Sour cream: Use dairy-free yogurt to make it vegan
👨🍳 How to Make
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool
- While pasta cooks, chop pickles, onion, and fresh dill
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, Dijon, pickle juice, and seasonings
- Add cooled pasta, pickles, onion, dill, and cheese to the bowl
- Toss everything until evenly coated in the dressing
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor
- Garnish with extra dill, pickles, or a sprinkle of black pepper
✅ Recipe Tips
- Save your pickle juice—it adds an extra punch to the dressing!
- Chill before serving to let the flavors meld
- Use block cheese and cube or shred it yourself for better texture
- Add extra pickle juice just before serving if it dries out in the fridge
📦 Storage
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
Freezer: Not recommended—dairy-based dressings and pasta don’t freeze well
Make-Ahead: Perfect to make the night before and stir before serving
🌀 Recipe Variations
Bacon Dill Pasta Salad: Add crispy crumbled bacon
Dill Chicken Salad Pasta: Mix in shredded rotisserie chicken
Spicy Pickle Version: Use spicy pickles + a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce
Ranch Style: Add a spoonful of ranch seasoning or dressing to the mix
❓ FAQs
Is this salad super tangy?
It has a bright pickle-forward flavor, but you can balance it with more mayo or cheese if needed
Can I use sweet pickles?
Sure! It’ll have a sweeter twist—perfect if you prefer less tang
What goes well with dill pickle pasta salad?
Serve it with burgers, grilled chicken, sandwiches, or BBQ
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes—just use dairy-free mayo, yogurt, and skip the cheese or use a plant-based version
This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is creamy, crunchy, herby, and packed with pickle-powered flavor. If you’re a dill pickle fan, this will quickly become your new summer staple! 🥒💚
