Description
Tangy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish combining tender pasta with crunchy dill pickles, creamy dressing, and a hint of fresh dill. Perfect for summertime picnics, potlucks, or as a side dish, this salad blends a unique tangy twist with classic pasta salad ingredients for a quick and easy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells)
- 1 1/2 cups dill pickles, diced
- 1/3 cup shredded carrots (optional)
- 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, cubed (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped (or 2 tsp dried dill)
Dressing Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup pickle juice (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow the pasta to cool completely before using to ensure a fresh salad texture.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning by tasting and adding more pickle juice or spices as desired.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced dill pickles, shredded carrots (if using), finely diced red onion, cheddar cheese cubes (if using), and chopped fresh dill. Mix gently to combine all the salad ingredients evenly.
- Mix and Chill: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss well until every component is evenly coated with the dressing. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the pasta salad chilled, garnished with additional fresh dill or extra diced pickles if desired for an extra pop of flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- You can substitute mayonnaise with a vegan alternative for a vegan version.
- Adjust the amount of pickle juice to your desired tanginess level.
- This salad tastes even better after sitting overnight, making it great for meal prep.
- Add some cooked and crumbled bacon or grilled chicken for a non-vegetarian version.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this salad gluten-free.
