Warm summer weather just seems to usher in refreshing cold pasta recipes like this scrumptious dill pickle pasta salad. If you’ve got pickle pickin’ fingers that seem to wander to the pickle jar in search of a crunchy little snack, then you are going to absolutely fall in love with this recipe!
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is one of those delightful chilled pasta salad recipes that complement almost any grilled food, adding variety and texture to the plate. Using dill pickles instead of sweet ones coaxes out a brand-new flavor profile full of aromatic deliciousness and simple pleasures.
So let’s get started!
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What I Love About Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Dill pickle pasta salad is sort of a new twist on an old favorite. This is one of those timeless classics that’s hard to improve but somehow the universe has smiled down on this dish! Here are some of the things I love most about this recipe:
- Full-flavored and delicious
- Really easy to make
- Comes together quickly
- One bowl wonder
Recipe Notes
Making dill pickle pasta salad is a quick and easy way to elevate any warm-weather meal, from backyard barbeques to friendly potlucks at church. It is the quintessential picture of summer with a cool, refreshing flavor that leaves people begging for more.
Ingredient Notes
This recipe for dill pickle pasta salad serves at least 6 hungry people. It’s perfect for dinner time and makes a great side dish for any grilled dinner. If you’d like to serve it for larger groups like potlucks or church dinners, just double the ingredients!
Cooking your pasta al dente takes around 7-9 minutes and means leaving it just a little firm in the center.
Making dill pickle pasta salad means using just enough of your favorite hot sauce to kick up the flavor profile. The recipe calls for Sriracha, but any hot sauce will do the trick.
Letting the cooked pasta sit in the pickle juice only takes a couple of minutes but it is essential to the flavor profile of this recipe. The pickle juice coats the pasta giving it a light, refreshing flavor for the salad.
Storing Tips
Storing this dill pickle pasta salad is a cinch but it doesn’t last long once people taste it. Simply put it in an airtight container and toss it in the fridge to keep it fresh. I recommend chilling for a few hours before serving, anyway.
Can You Freeze This?
Unfortunately, dill pickle pasta salad does not freeze well. The mayo and sour cream tend to separate in the freezer and fresh veggies are never quite the same after thawing. This recipe is best made fresh and stored in the fridge until served.
Make-Ahead Tips
Preparing ingredients for your dill pickle pasta salad ahead of time can be a little tricky because of the dairy and fresh veggies. Fresh fruits and veggies should be used and eaten as soon as possible after chopping to preserve essential vitamins and flavors.
I like to do my chopping while my noodles are boiling. If you must chop your onions and pickles ahead of time due to scheduling constraints, it is best to keep them covered with a damp paper towel in an airtight container in the fridge.
However, there is something to be said for chilling this before serving it. Letting your salad sit in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight gives all the yummy flavors time to marry together and become one with awesomeness!
How Long Can You Keep This?
Storing your dill pickle pasta salad in a secure container in the fridge will protect it from moisture and other contaminants. If it is protected in an airtight container and kept at the appropriate temperature, this will keep for 3-5 days.
Recipe Variations
Dill pickle pasta salad does have a little room for tweaking to suit your personal taste but remember that it may change the flavor of your dish. Adding things like bacon bits or sunflower seeds can be tasty but its really just a personal choice.
What Seafood I Can Add To This Recipe?
Adding seafood to your dill pickle pasta salad can give it more substance so that it can be eaten as a meal instead of a side dish. Just keep in mind that your pasta salad will only stay good until the first ingredient begins to break down, so adding seafood means it won’t keep as long.
If you’ve got a craving for a cold seafood salad or you’re preparing lunches, then try my Tuna Pasta Salad or shrimp pasta salad recipe. They are so sinfully divine you’ll smell the salty air and feel the ocean breeze with every bite!
Can I Change The Dressing In This Recipe?
Changing the dressing in your dill pickle pasta salad will change the flavor of your dish. For instance, you can save some fat and calories by substituting Greek yogurt for mayo, but it won’t taste exactly the same.
If variety is what you’re after, then my Caesar pasta salad will do the trick. You can pair a Caesar pasta salad with almost anything for a quick easy meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen!
Staying true to those old-school roots means you’ll love my Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing, too. Sometimes, you just want to indulge in a classic recipe and there is no shame in that game!
Can I Add Bacon To This?
Of course, you can! This is your recipe so make it how you like it. But, if bacon is your jam then I think you’d enjoy my BLT Pasta Salad or Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad more. These cool, creamy salads elevate that salty, savory bacon in a way that raises eyebrows with every mouth full.
How Can I Make It Into Mediterranean Pasta?
Mediterranean pasta salad is typically made with some type of vinaigrette so you can’t really ‘turn’ dill pickle pasta salad Mediterranean because you’d be missing some of the main components.
However, I do have an incredible recipe for Mediterranean salad that will knock your socks off! My greek pasta salad recipe is another non-mayo based dish that makes a great prep-ahead side for family dinners or larger crowds.
Can I Use Tortellini Instead?
Changing the noodles in your dill pickle pasta salad won’t hurt it at all. You’ll just have more of a tortellini salad and it may hold the ingredients a little differently. I suggest elbow macaroni for this but it’s up to you.
Some people prefer a tortellini pasta salad made with vinaigrette and lots of veggies. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some vegetable dense nutrition!
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 ounces elbow pasta
- 1/2 cup dill pickle juice, straight from the jar
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, small diced
- 1 cup sliced dill pickles
- 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 3 tablespoons white onion, finely chopped
Creamy Dill Dressing
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour Cream
- 1/4 cup dill pickle juice, straight from the jar
- 1/4 teaspoon Sriracha (or other hot sauce)
- salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, just until al dente. Rinse pasta and drain well.
- Add pasta to a mixing bowl and combine with 1/2 of pickle juice (straight out of the jar). Let sit for 5 minutes and drain.
- Mix together all the creamy dill dressing ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Add pasta, cheese, pickles, dill, and onion to a serving bowl and toss with dressing
- Refrigerate for 4-6 hours for best flavor and serve!
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More Pasta Salad Recipes
Preparing cool, refreshing Pasta Salad Recipes is a great way to usher in the summer months and welcome the season. Luckily, there are plenty of choices to suit every taste, every dish, and every occasion. Here are some more of my favorite pasta salad recipes for you to try.
Conclusion
Dill pickle pasta salad is one of those 5-star recipes that can feed crowds and compliment warm weather meals. Enjoy it as a snack or double the recipe for larger get-togethers. Saving time without sacrificing flavor has never been easier than with this scrumptious salad that quickly becomes a popular favorite!
I make this at least once a month and always for the Independence Day block party. It’s a huge hit!!!
Happy 4th of July, Amanda! 🙂
Definitely a crowd favorite, right?
This looks pretty delicious. Definitely gonna try this. ?
Woot!??
Love this recipe! Have made it several times now! Added thinly sliced celery for extra crunch! Works!
Hi Nilda! So happy to hear that you love this recipe!! <3
This is my daughter’s favorite pasta salad. I have made it many times. We all love it too.
Thanks! Glad to hear you liked it! 😀
That looks so fresh and yummy!