Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Take your pasta salad game to the next level with this tangy and refreshing Dill Pickle Pasta Salad! Bursting with crunchy pickles, fresh dill, and a creamy dressing, it’s the perfect dish for pickle lovers. Get ready to delight your taste buds with this unique and flavorful recipe!

If you’re looking for more fabulous pasta salad recipes, try our Summer Pasta Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, and Caprese Pasta Salad.

Why We Love Dill Pickle Salad

Dill pickle pasta salad perfectly complements a variety of summer dishes. It’s a crowd-pleasing side that brings a unique and irresistible flavor to any gathering.

• Make-ahead: Dill pasta salad is a perfect make-ahead dish, allowing flavors to meld together for even more deliciousness.
• Easy: This salad comes together in no time, making it a convenient option for busy days or last-minute gatherings. One hour minimum chill time is recommended.
• Easily feeds a crowd: Whether you’re hosting a party or a potluck, this recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a larger group without hassle.
• Refreshing and tangy: The combination of dill pickles brings a refreshing and tangy twist to the pasta salad, adding a burst of flavor to every bite.
• Versatile and customizable: You can personalize this dish by adding extra ingredients like diced veggies, or protein to suit your taste. Serve alongside anything from burgers and chicken to salmon and more!

What Goes In Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Rotini Pasta, uncooked – rotini is ideal for pickle pasta salad because its spiral shape holds the dressing and flavors better, while its firm texture prevents it from becoming mushy when chilled.
• Mayonnaise – real mayo will give you the best flavor.
• Sour Cream – adds extra tang and creaminess. You can swap this out for plain Greek yogurt if you prefer.
• Dill Pickle Juice –  from the pickle jar
• Seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley flakes, ground pepper, dried dill weed
• Dill Pickles – This is the star of the show, use the best juicy, tangy, and crunchy dill pickles. Or make homemade pickles. 
• Cheese: We use cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese cut into cubes. You can use just one of these or add in your favorite cheese. Use 2 cups total.
• Fresh Dill –  minced to intensify that dill flavor in every bite
• Salt to taste – I used ½ teaspoon of salt. Use your taste buds here.

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How To Make Pickle Pasta Salad

Grab a large pot for boiling the pasta, mixing bowls, and a rubber spatula we’re making pickle pasta salad with dill!

When you are making this pasta salad, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Cook Pasta one minute past al dente. Drain, rinse, and set aside to cool.
2. Mix Dressing: whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, and dry seasonings and set aside.
3. Combine: add the pickles, cheese, and fresh dill to the cooled pasta.
4. Toss: add dressing and toss to coat. Season with additional pickle juice, salt, and/or pepper if needed.
5. Chill for at least one hour before serving to give the flavors a chance to meld before serving.

Chef Tip: The perfect pasta salad starts with the perfect pasta. Sturdy, shorter noodles like cavatappi, fusilli, rotini, Gemelli, rotelle, or even orzo! These pasta styles can hold up to the dressings and avoid the mush factor. Get more tips on what to avoid when making pasta salad.

Recipe Notes And Tips

For the best results here are some tips to make the best dill pickle pasta salad.

• Be sure to cook the pasta one minute past al dente.
• Toss slightly warm noodles with ⅔ of the dressing. As the pasta continues cooling/retrogradation, the well-coated, correctly seasoned pasta absorbs flavors from the dressing while the fats/oil seal moisture.
• Use high-quality pickles: The star ingredient in this salad is the pickles, so it’s worth the extra spend for a high-quality brand. Look for pickles that are crispy, tangy, and not overly salty. We enjoy Grillo’s Pickles Dill Spears or Vlasic purely pickles (they have no dyes or unnatural preservatives).
• Chill thoroughly before serving: Pasta salads taste best when cold, so chill your salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
• Don’t be afraid to make pickle pasta salad your own! Taste your dressing before you add it to the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more pickle juice, salt, or dill to achieve your desired flavor.