Pin It A vibrant, tangy pasta salad bursting with crunchy dill pickles, fresh vegetables, and a creamy, herbaceous dressing—perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing side dish.
This recipe quickly became a family favorite at summer picnics and backyard barbecues.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 300 g (10 oz) short pasta (such as rotini, fusilli, or shells)
- Vegetables: 1 cup dill pickles, chopped (about 4 large pickles), 1 cup celery, finely diced (2 stalks), 1 cup red bell pepper, diced (1 medium), 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- Cheese: 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, diced or shredded
- Dressing: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tbsp pickle juice (from the jar), 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill), 1/2 tsp garlic powder, Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Garnish (optional): Additional chopped dill, Sliced pickles
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Step 2:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped dill pickles, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and cheddar cheese.
- Step 3:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, dill, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Step 4:
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss well to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Step 5:
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Step 6:
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 7:
- Garnish with extra dill and sliced pickles if desired.
Pin It This salad brings back warm memories of family gatherings and sunny afternoons spent outdoors.
Required Tools
Large pot, Colander, Large mixing bowl, Whisk, Chefs knife, Cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise—may contain eggs), Contains eggs (mayonnaise), Gluten (from pasta), For gluten-free use gluten-free pasta, For egg-free use eggless mayonnaise, Always check labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories 340, Total Fat 20 g, Carbohydrates 30 g, Protein 9 g per serving
Pin It This Dill Pickle Chopped Pasta Salad is the perfect balance of tangy and savory, ready to elevate your meal in minutes.
Recipe FAQs
- → What pasta types work best for this salad?
Short pasta varieties like rotini, fusilli, or shells hold the dressing well and add pleasant texture.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, chilling for at least 30 minutes helps flavors meld; it can also be prepared a day in advance for best taste.
- → How can I make this dish vegan?
Replace mayonnaise, sour cream, and cheddar with plant-based alternatives for a vegan-friendly version.
- → What adds the tangy flavor in this dish?
Dill pickles and their juice combined with Dijon mustard create the signature tangy and zesty notes.
- → Can I adjust the crunchiness in this dish?
Adding chopped cucumber or extra fresh dill can boost crunch and fresh herb flavor.