Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Creamy, crunchy, tangy, and packed with bold dill pickle flavor, our Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a summer picnic legend in the making. It’s easy to whip up, made with common pantry ingredients, and delivers a whole lot of flavor without a whole lot of work.

Folks will pile it high like they’re not coming back for seconds, then come back anyway.

 

What makes our Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe stand out is how it balances bold, briny tang with rich, creamy textures.

The tender pasta holds onto that pickle juice for extra flavor in every bite, while the sharp cheddar brings a salty depth that pairs perfectly with the crunchy dill pickles.

Sour cream and mayo give the creamy dill dressing its silky body, and a handful of chopped fresh dill ties it all together with that unmistakable dill pickle flavor.

This is cold pasta salad done right, with every ingredient earning its spot.

Our dill pickle pasta salad comes together quickly with everyday ingredients you probably already have in your fridge.

There’s no fancy prep, no tricky steps, and only a little chopping to look forward to.

Make it a meal with our tender and juicy Baked Chicken Legs, or our Maryland Crab Cakes, for every summer plate your friends and family will love!

Ingredients

Gather the ingredients to prepare our Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe. Culinary professionals call this the “Mise en Place,” which means “everything in its Place.”

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

Can I Change Up the Recipe?

Absolutely. Our creamy pasta salad is flexible, which is exactly what we like when we’re cooking for a crowd or clearing out the fridge.

We make ours with sharp cheddar cheese, but you can swap in Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or even diced pepper jack for a little heat.

If you’re not a fan of sour cream, Greek yogurt or light mayo can take its place without losing the pasta salad’s creamy texture.

For extra flavor, try adding a spoonful of Dijon mustard to the dressing or toss in a handful of chopped sweet pickles to balance the tangy dill pickles.

How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make dill pickle pasta salad in your home kitchen.

• Place the bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the sheet on the middle rack of a 400-degree preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes.
• When the bacon is cool, chop it into small pieces.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold running water.

• Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle juice, fresh dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl.
• Whisk to combine. Refrigerate until needed.
• Place the rinsed cooked pasta in a large bowl and pour ⅓ cup of the pickle juice over it. Stir to combine. Let it sit while you prepare the rest.
• Add the cooled pasta, dill pickles, chopped bacon, and cheddar cheese cubes to a large salad bowl.
• Add ⅔ of the dressing to the bowl.
• Stir until everything is evenly coated in the creamy dill dressing.
  *Save the extra dressing to add to the salad when ready to serve.

Place the pasta salad in the refrigerator for 2 hours to chill before serving.

Our Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is perfect for game days, backyard barbecues, or any gathering where you want to show up with something bold, fun, and full of flavor.

After the first bite, your friends and family will be lining up for seconds!

How to Store Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Store any leftover dill pickle pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.

Before serving, give it a good stir and add a splash of pickle juice or a spoonful of mayonnaise or sour cream if it needs a refresh.

This cold salad is not freezer-friendly. Once thawed, the rotini pasta will soften, and the chopped pickles will lose their crunch.

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