Save A tangy creamy pasta salad bursting with dill pickles cheddar and fresh herbs perfect for picnics and potlucks.
This pasta salad quickly became a family favorite at our summer gatherings and is always requested back for picnics.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 12 oz (340 g) budget rotini pasta, Salt for boiling water
- Vegetables & Pickles: 1 1/2 cups (225 g) dill pickles diced, 1/2 cup (60 g) red onion finely diced, 2/3 cup (90 g) celery diced, 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh dill chopped
- Cheese: 1 cup (115 g) sharp cheddar cheese cubed or shredded
- Dressing: 3/4 cup (180 ml) mayonnaise, 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream, 2 tbsp (30 ml) dill pickle juice, 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl combine the cooled pasta diced pickles red onion celery cheddar cheese and fresh dill.
- Step 3:
- In a separate bowl whisk together mayonnaise sour cream pickle juice Dijon mustard garlic powder black pepper and salt until smooth.
- Step 4:
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Step 5:
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 6:
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving. Garnish with extra dill if desired.
Save My family loves sharing this at summer picnics making special memories with every bite.
Notes
For extra pickle flavor add more pickle juice or chopped pickles. Add cooked bacon or sliced hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.
Required Tools
Large pot Colander Large mixing bowl Whisk Cutting board & knife
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (cheddar cheese sour cream mayonnaise) Eggs (mayonnaise possibly in pasta) May contain gluten (rotini pasta) use gluten-free pasta if needed Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens.
Save This dill pickle pasta salad is an effortless crowd-pleaser perfect for any occasion.
Recipe Help & Answers
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Rotini or other short, twisted pasta hold the dressing and ingredients well, providing great texture.
- → How can I make the salad more tangy?
Adding extra pickle juice or more diced pickles boosts the tang and enhances flavor depth.
- → Can this dish be prepared in advance?
Yes, chilling it for at least an hour allows the flavors to meld perfectly and intensify.
- → What alternatives can substitute sour cream?
Greek yogurt works well for a lighter, tangy twist while maintaining creamy texture.
- → Is there a way to add protein to this salad?
Incorporate cooked bacon or sliced hard-boiled eggs to add extra protein and richness.