Description
This Tangy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a refreshing and zesty dish perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light lunch. Combining tender cooked pasta with crisp dill pickles, fresh herbs, and a creamy tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and pickle juice, this salad delivers a delightful balance of flavors with a subtle kick. Optional ingredients like shredded carrots and cheddar cheese add extra texture and richness, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 3 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells)
- 1 1/2 cups dill pickles, diced
- 1/3 cup shredded carrots (optional)
- 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, cubed (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped (or 2 tsp dried dill)
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup pickle juice (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch, then let it cool completely to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning according to your preference for tanginess and spice.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced dill pickles, shredded carrots if using, finely diced red onion, cubed cheddar cheese if using, and fresh chopped dill. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Mix and Chill: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated in the creamy dressing. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Serve: Serve the pasta salad chilled. You may garnish with extra fresh dill or additional diced pickles for an appealing presentation and enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Use your preferred type of short pasta such as elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells for the best texture and dressing adherence.
- The dressing can be adjusted to taste by varying the amount of pickle juice for more or less tanginess.
- For a lighter option, substitute mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
- Make the salad a few hours ahead or overnight to deepen the flavors; just give it a good stir before serving.
- Optional ingredients like shredded carrots and cheddar cheese add color, texture, and richness but can be omitted for a simpler salad.
