If you’re a pickle lover, this is your dream salad. Tangy, creamy, cool, and bursting with dill flavor, this pasta salad is the star of any potluck, BBQ, or picnic. It’s a crunchy-creamy combo that surprises everyone (in the best way)!
📝 Ingredients
- 3 cups dry pasta (elbow macaroni or rotini work great)
- 1½ cups diced dill pickles
- ½ cup pickle juice (for flavoring the pasta)
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill (or 1 tbsp dried)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: chopped celery or crispy bacon for extra crunch
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and immediately toss with pickle juice. Let it cool completely (this step infuses major flavor!).
2️⃣ In a large bowl, mix mayo, sour cream, dill, and a bit of salt & pepper.
3️⃣ Add cooled pasta, diced pickles, onion, and shredded cheese.
4️⃣ Gently stir everything together until coated in the creamy dressing.
5️⃣ Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with extra dill or sliced pickles if you like.
💡 Tips & Twists
- Vegan version? Use plant-based mayo & yogurt.
- Bolder flavor? Add a splash of pickle brine to the dressing.
- For added crunch: toss in chopped celery or green bell pepper.
- Best enjoyed cold, and it gets even better the next day!
🍯 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Perfect for summer cookouts or weekday lunches
✔️ Creamy, tangy, and pickle-lover approved
✔️ Super easy to make ahead
✔️ A twist on traditional pasta salad that surprises everyone