Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Featured in: Vegetarian Picks

This dish combines rotini pasta with diced dill pickles, sharp cheddar, red onion, celery, and fresh dill. A creamy dressing brings together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, and spices to coat the pasta. Chilling for an hour allows flavors to meld, creating a tangy, refreshing salad ideal for gatherings. Variations include adding bacon or hard-boiled eggs for more protein and substituting Greek yogurt for sour cream.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:10:00 GMT
Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with crunchy pickles, cheddar cheese, and fresh dill ready to serve. Save
Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with crunchy pickles, cheddar cheese, and fresh dill ready to serve. | ovenharmony.com

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

This is one of my go-to dishes for summer gatherings it always gets rave reviews.

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 dente 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
A vibrant bowl of Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, showcasing colorful ingredients and savory flavors perfectly. Save
A vibrant bowl of Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, showcasing colorful ingredients and savory flavors perfectly. | ovenharmony.com

My family loves gathering around this salad especially when we include crispy bacon or sliced hard-boiled eggs.

Required Tools

Large pot, Colander, Large mixing bowl, Whisk, Cutting board & knife

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheddar cheese sour cream mayonnaise), Eggs (mayonnaise possibly in pasta). May contain gluten (rotini pasta) use gluten-free pasta if needed Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens

Nutritional Information

Calories 350, Total Fat 21 g, Carbohydrates 31 g, Protein 9 g per serving

Cool, refreshing Dill Pickle Pasta Salad; a delicious vegetarian picnic salad with creamy dressing. Save
Cool, refreshing Dill Pickle Pasta Salad; a delicious vegetarian picnic salad with creamy dressing. | ovenharmony.com

This dill pickle pasta salad is a refreshing crowd-pleaser perfect for any casual gathering.

Recipe FAQ

What type of pasta works best in this dish?

Short, sturdy pastas like rotini hold the dressing well and provide a satisfying texture.

Can I adjust the tanginess of the dressing?

Yes, increasing pickle juice or adding more diced pickles enhances the tangy flavor.

How long should I chill this pasta before serving?

Refrigerate at least one hour to allow the flavors to blend and the salad to chill thoroughly.

Are there alternative ingredients for a lighter version?

Greek yogurt can replace sour cream for a lighter, tangier dressing without sacrificing creaminess.

What additions can increase protein content?

Adding cooked bacon or sliced hard-boiled eggs will boost protein and add depth of flavor.

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Creamy pasta mixed with cheddar, fresh dill, and tangy pickles for a refreshing, chilled dish.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
10 min
Complete duration
25 min
Created by Claire Johnson

Classification Vegetarian Picks

Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-free

Components

Pasta

01 12 oz rotini pasta
02 Salt, for boiling water

Vegetables & Pickles

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

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

Directions

Phase 01

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

Phase 02

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

Phase 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.

Phase 04

Dress salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss well to coat evenly.

Phase 05

Chill salad: Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld.

Phase 06

Serve and garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with extra fresh dill if desired before serving.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult healthcare professionals if you're unsure about ingredients.
  • Contains milk from cheddar cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise.
  • Contains eggs from mayonnaise and possibly pasta.
  • May contain gluten from rotini pasta; use gluten-free pasta if required.

Nutritional information (each portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 350
  • Fats: 21 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Proteins: 9 g