Description

If you’re the kind of person who would drink the pickle juice straight from the jar (no shame), this pasta salad was basically made for you. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is everything your barbecue table has been missing — tender pasta tossed in a creamy, tangy, garlicky dressing loaded with chopped pickles, sharp cheddar cheese, red onion, and a punch of fresh dill. It’s bright, bold, a little weird in the best way, and totally addicting. People will raise an eyebrow when they hear what it is — then go back for thirds. Just trust.

Ingredients

For the Salad:
– 12 oz rotini or elbow macaroni (short and twisty is best)
– 1 1/2 cups chopped dill pickles (go bold or go home)
– 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed small
– 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
– 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
– Optional: 1/2 cup chopped celery or cucumber for extra crunch

For the Dressing:
– 1/2 cup mayo
– 1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
– 1/4 cup pickle juice (from the jar, obviously)
– 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– Salt + pepper to taste (careful with the salt — pickles are salty already)

Instructions

Step 1: Boil That Pasta
Cook your pasta in a large pot of well-salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Let it drain really well — nobody wants watery salad.

Step 2: Mix the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust. Want it tangier? More juice. Creamier? More mayo. Spicier? A dash of hot sauce works.

Step 3: Assemble the Party
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped pickles, cubed cheddar, red onion, and fresh dill. Add any optional veggies if using. Pour the dressing over the top and mix until everything’s coated and happy.

Step 4: Chill and Serve
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour so the flavors can hang out. Before serving, give it a stir and add an extra spoonful of pickle juice or mayo if it looks dry. Taste again and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

– Serve alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, or ribs
– Add chopped hard-boiled eggs to bulk it up and make it more like a deli-style salad
– A cold beer or iced tea pairs ridiculously well with all that tang

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: ~390 kcal per serving
Fat: ~18g
Carbohydrates: ~45g
Protein: ~10g