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Overhead shot of dill pickle pasta salad in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.
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Pickle Pasta Salad

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is creamy, tangy, and packed with pickle flavor in every bite. The warm pasta soaks up pickle juice right out of the pot, so the flavor runs all the way through. It is the make ahead side that disappears first at every cookout.
Author: Nikki Lee
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 ½ cups dill pickle chips roughly chopped (plus more for garnish)
  • ¾ cup pickle juice
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese cubes or cut into small cubes from a block
  • ½ cup chopped red onion
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh dill

Dressing

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons pickle juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  • While the pasta is still hot, transfer it to a large bowl and toss with ¾ cup pickle juice. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, stirring a few times, until most of the liquid is absorbed.
  • Add the chopped dill pickle chips, cheddar cheese cubes, red onion, celery, and fresh dill to the pasta.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, 2 tablespoons pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill and allow the flavors to blend.
  • Before serving, stir again and top with extra dill pickle chips.

Notes

  • Tossing the warm pasta in pickle juice is what gives this salad its bold pickle flavor.
  • The salad will thicken slightly as it chills; a splash of pickle juice can loosen it back up if needed.
  • Don't overcook the pasta, or it can turn too soft after chilling.
  • Use dill pickles, not sweet pickles, or the flavor will be completely different.
  • Add the cheese only after the pasta has cooled slightly so it doesn't start to melt.
  • If you need this gluten-free, use a gluten-free elbow macaroni and double check your pickle, cheese, and mayonnaise labels.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 610 kcal | Carbohydrates: 63 g | Protein: 16 g | Fat: 32 g | Saturated Fat: 9 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7 g | Trans Fat: 0.1 g | Cholesterol: 42 mg | Sodium: 1224 mg | Potassium: 320 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 4 g | Vitamin A: 582 IU | Vitamin C: 4 mg | Calcium: 203 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Find it online:

www.soulfullymade.com/dill-pickle-pasta-salad/