Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Featured in: Quick Family Meals

This dish combines tender rotini pasta with diced dill pickles, sharp cheddar cheese, red onion, celery, and fresh dill for a balanced blend of textures and flavors. The dressing, made from mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, and Dijon mustard, adds a tangy creaminess that ties the ingredients together. After tossing everything and chilling for at least an hour, the salad offers a refreshing and creamy treat perfect for warm weather gatherings. Adjust seasoning to taste and garnish with additional dill if desired.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:47:00 GMT
Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with cheddar cheese, ready to grab for a summer picnic. Pin this
Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with cheddar cheese, ready to grab for a summer picnic. | recipeshood.com

A tangy, creamy pasta salad bursting with dill pickles, cheddar, and fresh herbs perfect for picnics and potlucks.

This dill pickle pasta salad quickly became a favorite at every picnic I attended last summer.

Ingredients

  • Pasta: 12 oz (340 g) budget rotini pasta, Salt for boiling water
  • Vegetables & Pickles: 1 1/2 cups (225 g) dill pickles diced, 1/2 cup (60 g) red onion finely diced, 2/3 cup (90 g) celery diced, 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh dill chopped
  • Cheese: 1 cup (115 g) sharp cheddar cheese cubed or shredded
  • Dressing: 3/4 cup (180 ml) mayonnaise, 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream, 2 tbsp (30 ml) dill pickle juice, 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp salt or to taste

Instructions

Step 1:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini according to package instructions until al denté. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced pickles, red onion, celery, cheddar cheese, and fresh dill.
Step 3:
In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
Step 4:
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Step 5:
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Step 6:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving. Garnish with extra dill if desired.
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This recipe is a staple at our family potlucks and always disappears quickly.

Tips for Best Flavor

Use freshly chopped dill for the brightest herb flavor, and allow the salad to chill at least an hour before serving.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this salad chilled alongside grilled meats or as a tasty picnic meal on its own.

Vibrant Dill Pickle Pasta Salad: a colorful mix of dill pickles, herbs, and tasty rotini. Pin this
Vibrant Dill Pickle Pasta Salad: a colorful mix of dill pickles, herbs, and tasty rotini. | recipeshood.com

This dill pickle pasta salad is sure to brighten your table and impress your guests every time.

Frequently Asked Recipe Questions

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, rotini works best for holding the dressing, but other short pasta like fusilli or penne can be substituted.

How long should the salad chill before serving?

Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld for the best taste.

Can I substitute sour cream in the dressing?

Greek yogurt can be used as a lighter alternative to sour cream without compromising creaminess.

Is it possible to add protein to this dish?

Yes, adding cooked bacon or sliced hard-boiled eggs boosts protein and adds richness.

How should I store leftovers?

Keep leftovers covered and refrigerated; the salad stays fresh for up to one day.

Are there any common allergens in this dish?

Yes, it contains milk from cheddar and dairy-based dressings, and may contain gluten depending on the pasta used.

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Creamy pasta tossed with dill pickles, cheddar, and fresh herbs for a flavorful, chilled dish.

Prep Duration
15 min
Time to Cook
10 min
Overall Time
25 min
Created by Julia Harris

Meal Type Quick Family Meals

Level of Challenge Easy

Cuisine Type American

Servings Made 6 Number of Portions

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Pasta

01 12 oz rotini pasta
02 Salt for boiling water

Vegetables & Pickles

01 1 1/2 cups dill pickles, diced
02 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
03 2/3 cup celery, diced
04 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

Cheese

01 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded

Dressing

01 3/4 cup mayonnaise
02 1/4 cup sour cream
03 2 tbsp dill pickle juice
04 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
05 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 1/4 tsp black pepper
07 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste

Method

Step 01

Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool completely.

Step 02

Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cooled pasta with diced pickles, red onion, celery, cheddar cheese, and chopped fresh dill.

Step 03

Prepare dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.

Step 04

Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until evenly coated.

Step 05

Chill and serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning before serving and garnish with extra fresh dill if desired.

Kitchen Tools Needed

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board and knife

Allergen Details

Review every ingredient for allergens and reach out to a professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk (cheddar cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise) and eggs (mayonnaise, possibly in pasta). May contain gluten; use gluten-free pasta if necessary.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutrition info is for reference purposes only and isn't medical advice.
  • Energy (Calories): 350
  • Fats: 21 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Proteins: 9 g