If you’re a pickle lover, this creamy dill pickle pasta salad recipe is about to become your new obsession. This dish is the perfect side dish for a summer picnic, potluck, or backyard BBQ.
With tender pasta, crunchy dill pickles, and a creamy dressing bursting with the delicious dill pickle flavor you love. Whether you’re a die-hard dill pickle fan or just love tangy pasta salad, this simple recipe delivers great flavor every time.
A Simple Recipe Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
This delicious pasta salad recipe brings together everything you love about classic pasta salad with a zesty twist. Chopped dill pickles, fresh dill, and a splash of pickle juice from your favorite pickle jar give this dish that irresistible flavor of dill pickle.
The creamy dressing made with sour cream and mayonnaise salad dressing for best flavor, while cubed cheese (like cheddar cheese or feta cheese) and fresh veggies bring texture and variety.
Whether you’re making this for a summer picnic, serving it with fried chicken, or meal prepping for the next day, this dill pickle salad is a great choice for pickle fanatics and pasta lovers alike.
Delicious Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Made Easy
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 8 Ounces Pasta macaroni, shells, bowtie pasta or other short pasta shape like rotini pasta
- 1 Cup Dill Pickles sliced or chopped, about 3 or 4 medium crunchy dill pickles.
- 2/3 Cup Cheddar Cheese diced, or colby-jack, feta or other cheese you like
- 2 Tablespoons White Onion minced or red onion
For the Salad Dressing
- 2/3 Cup Mayonnaise Salad Dressing or Miracle Whip Salad Dressing, or Greek yogurt
- 1/3 Cup Sour Cream
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill chopped or dried dill
- 1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 4 Tablespoons Dill Pickle Juice I use it straight from the pickle jar
- ½ Teaspoon Dried Parsley
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.8 Ounces Pasta
- Drain and rinse the cooked pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large bowl.
- To the cooled pasta, add chopped dill pickles, white onion, and cubed cheese.1 Cup Dill Pickles, 2/3 Cup Cheddar Cheese, 2 Tablespoons White Onion
- In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh dill or dried dill, cayenne pepper, black pepper, dried parsley, and pickle juice to make the dressing. Give it a good stir until everything is well combined.2/3 Cup Mayonnaise Salad Dressing, 1/3 Cup Sour Cream, 2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill, 1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, 4 Tablespoons Dill Pickle Juice, ½ Teaspoon Dried Parsley, ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- Pour the creamy dressing over the top and toss gently to combine. Be sure every bite is coated for the best flavor.
- For best flavor, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to blend.
Your Own Private Notes
Nutrition
Best Tips for the Perfect Pasta Salad
- Let your dill pickle pasta salad chill for at least an hour in an airtight container for the best flavor.
- If it seems a little dry the next day, add a splash of pickle juice and give it a good stir.
- You can easily swap bowtie pasta for rotini pasta or other short pasta shapes.
Recipe Variations
- Swap cheddar cheese for feta cheese for a tangier twist.
- Use homemade pickles if you have them.
- Add sweet pickles for a milder, sweeter version.
- Love heat? Toss in some spicy pickles and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
- For a heartier meal, add diced chicken or ham.
- Want more crunch? Toss in some fresh veggies like cucumbers, celery, or bell peppers.
Can you Swap out the Greek yogurt for Miracle Whip Salad Dressing?
Miracle Whip adds sweetness. If you swap Greek yogurt for Miracle Whip, expect the salad to have a slightly sweet tang, which some people love in macaroni salad or old-fashioned pasta salad recipes.
Greek yogurt is more neutral flavor. It offers a clean tanginess and pairs really well with the dill pickle flavor, letting the dill pickles and pickle juice shine.
Both work with sour cream. If your recipe uses a mix of sour cream and either Greek yogurt or Miracle Whip, you can usually substitute 1:1 with no major issues.
My Recommendation
If you want a classic creamy dill pickle pasta salad with a bit of zing and a clean, fresh flavor, stick with Greek yogurt.
If you’re aiming for more of an old-fashioned deli-style pasta salad, Miracle Whip adds that nostalgic sweet-tangy note.
What if you don’t have fresh dill?
Often, when I make this pickle salad in the winter months, it is hard to find fresh dill in the grocery store. However, we can still make this delicious side dish.
If you don’t have fresh dill on hand, you’ve got a few easy options to still get that delicious dill pickle flavor in your pasta salad. Here are some great substitutes.
1. Dried Dill
Use 1 teaspoon of dried dill for every 1 tablespoon of fresh dill. It adds flavor directly to the creamy dressing or mixing into the cooked pasta.
Pro tip: Add the dried dill early so it has time to rehydrate and release its flavor into the salad.
2. Extra Dill Pickle Juice
Add a splash of pickle juice (or two!) to the dressing ingredients to really boost the flavor of dill pickle. This works especially well if you’re already using chopped dill pickles or baby dills in the salad.
3. Chopped Dill Pickles (Extra!)
If you’re missing fresh herbs entirely, just chop a few extra crunchy dill pickles and add them into the salad. Not only will they add texture, but they’ll give you even more of that tangy dill pickle flavor that pickle fans love.
4. Dill Pickle Seasoning
If you happen to have a jar of dill pickle seasoning (sometimes found in the refrigerated section near dips or salad dressings, or in the spice aisle), you can sprinkle a bit into the creamy pasta salad for extra flavor.
This is a great choice if you want a more intense dill flavor.
Bottom Line
Fresh dill is amazing, but you absolutely don’t need it to make a delicious dill pickle pasta salad.
Between dried dill, pickle juice, and extra pickles, you can easily make this simple recipe work with simple ingredients from your grocery store or pickle jar.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have any leftover dill pickle pasta salad, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days, though the tangy dill pickles and creamy dressing keep it fresh and flavorful.
For pickle fanatics, this creamy dill pickle pasta salad is the perfect way to enjoy that delicious dill pickle flavor in a whole new way. It’s sure to become one of your favorite pasta salad recipes, right alongside your taco pasta salad or macaroni salad.
This is a great choice for a summer picnic, a potluck, or just a fun cold salad to enjoy on a hot day. This delicious dill pickle pasta salad is guaranteed to please. With simple ingredients, great flavor. It has the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and crunchy, it’s one of the best pasta salads for dill pickle fans everywhere.
Delicious side dish and sometimes a quick lunch option.