Description
This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors! Made with rotini pasta, sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy dill pickles, fresh herbs, and a creamy dressing, it’s a crowd-pleasing dish that pairs wonderfully with summer BBQs or picnics. The tangy pickle juice adds a zesty kick that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dry rotini pasta
- 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, cubed
- 2 cups diced dill pickles, plus extra for garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, plus extra for garnish
- ¾ cup mayonnaise (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅔ cup pickle juice (from the pickle jar)
- ½ white onion, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let it cool completely.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cooled pasta with cubed cheese, diced dill pickles, chopped dill, and chives.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, minced onion, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Toss and Coat: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Optional Kick: For extra tanginess, add ¼ to ½ cup more pickle juice just before serving.
- Garnish: Top with extra diced pickles, fresh dill, and chives for garnish.
Notes
- For an extra creamy texture, use full-fat sour cream and mayonnaise.
- Adjust the pickle juice for more or less tang depending on your preference.
- If you’re not a fan of sharp cheddar, you can substitute it with mild cheddar or a different cheese like gouda or Monterey Jack.
- This pasta salad can be made a day ahead for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of the recipe
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 62mg