Quick and easy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad combines cellentani pasta, dill pickles, sharp cheddar, and fresh dill in a creamy mayonnaise and sour cream base. What’s not to love about a chilled pasta salad with dill pickles and sweet fresh dill?
This tasty dish takes about 20 minutes to make, and it is the ideal side dish for all your summer grilling and a nice change from potato salad. If you like this recipe with fresh dill, try dill pickle potato salad, creamy dill pickle soup, and lemon dill baked tilapia.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Mayonnaise: I am partial to real mayo and especially fond of Duke’s mayo. However, I am sure this salad would taste equally delicious with Miracle Whip.
- Sour cream: I prefer full-fat sour cream, but you can use reduced-fat.
- Dill: Please use chopped fresh dill for optimal flavor.
- Pasta: cellentani, corkscrew, rotini, or elbow pasta
- Dill pickles: I like the baby dill pickles for this salad, but any size dill pickle works as long as you cut them up.
- Cheese: Cut the cheese into small cubes. Other cheese that works well with this recipe are white cheddar, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack Cheese.
How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
This is the summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Start by cooking your pasta al dente according to package instructions and draining it well. Rinse a little cold water over the pasta and toss in the colander to stop the cooking process. Add the pasta to a large bowl.
In a small bowl, stir the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, onion powder, and fresh dill. Stir the mayonnaise mixture, dill pickles, and cubed cheddar cheese into the pasta. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh dill or fresh parsley.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- This pasta salad can be made up to 2 days in advance, but wait until you are ready to serve to toss it with the dressing.
- Keep this salad covered and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If it is a little dry, add a bit of mayo, sour cream, or a splash of pickle juice.
Recipe Variations for Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Seasonings: Other seasonings to experiment with include garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, or even a little Cajun seasoning.
- Meat: Make it a full meal by adding protein such as ham, chicken, or bacon
- Vegetables: Add other fresh veggies such as cherry tomatoes, celery, bell peppers, and red onion for added flavor and texture.
More Pasta Salads
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad
Orzo Pasta Salad
Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad
Spaghetti Salad
Macaroni Salad
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Salad Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup dill pickle juice from the pickle jar
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill plus more for garnish
Pasta
- 1 lb. cellentani or corkscrew pasta
- 2 cups diced baby dill pickles plus more for garnish
- 1½ cups cubed sharp cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta al dente according to the package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse with a little cold water to stop the cooking process and keep your pasta from sticking. Drain well and add the pasta to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, onion powder, and fresh dill.
- Stir the mayonnaise mixture, dill pickles, and cheddar cheese cubes into the pasta.
- Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh dill.
Notes
- This pasta salad can be made up to 2 days in advance, but wait until you are ready to serve to toss it with the dressing.
- Keep this salad covered and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If it is a little dry, add a bit of mayo, sour cream, or a splash of pickle juice.
Nutrition
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Stephanie
I’ve never heard of pickles in a pasta salad before. While I don’t care for pickles, I made this for my family and my pickle-loving husband and kids really enjoyed the recipe! It was the perfect side for our hamburgers.
Erin
So delicious and easy! Thanks for the great recipe!
Tayler
I made this pasta salad to share with friends yesterday and everyone loved it! Thanks so much for sharing!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Tayler!
Jamie
The dill pickle flavor was such a great addition to this pasta salad! I loved the creamy and tangy flavor together! A winner!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jamie! So glad that you liked it!
Toni
This is such an amazing salad!! It was a huge hit at my house!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Toni! So happy that everyone liked it!
Sandra
I love everything in this salad! So refreshing and really flavorful!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Sandra!
Sara Welch
Pasta salad is a summertime staple in our home and this recipe is no exception! Easily, a new favorite dish; my whole family loved it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Sara! So glad that you liked it!
cam
This was so easy to make and throw together last minute! It was perfect to bring to a BBQ with some friends and everyone loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Cam! So glad that everyone liked it!
Amanda
I have been looking for a new twist on pasta salad. This will be perfect!
Rosey
I bet the dill adds just the right touch of tang. I’d love to try this one.
Beth Pierce
Yes it really does.