Pickle Pasta Salad

Pickle Pasta Salad is a creamy, tangy pasta salad made with dill pickles, cheese, and simple ingredients. The perfect easy side dish for BBQs, potlucks, and summer dinners.

If you love pickles, this Pickle Pasta Salad is one of those recipes you’re going to keep making all summer long. It’s creamy, tangy, packed with pickle flavor, and incredibly easy to throw together.

This is the kind of side dish I make for cookouts, busy weeknights, and summer get-togethers because it’s simple, different, and always gets people talking. It’s one of those recipes that sounds a little unexpected at first, but once people try it, they always want the recipe.

Whether you’re looking for an easy pasta salad recipe, a fun summer side dish, or something different for your next BBQ or potluck, this Pickle Pasta Salad is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again.

How to make this Pickle Pasta Salad:

This side dish is great for cookouts and easy to make. Start by cooking the noodles according to package directions. While the noodles are cooking make your dressing. Once they are done, cool the noodles off by rinsing them with cold water. Mix the noodles together with the dressing, and then add in the pickles, cheese and onion. Mix well then chill in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

Ingredient Notes:

• Elbow Macaroni Pasta – the traditional pasta used in a pasta salad because it holds onto the creamy dressing.
• Sliced Dill Pickles – Use your favorite brand of dill pickles. The crunchier, the better.
• Diced Cheddar Cheese – Adds a creamy, salty balance to the tangy pickles.
• Minced Onion

Dressing ingredients:

• Mayo – use your favorite brand of Mayo for the dressing.
• Sour Cream – I prefer to use regular sour cream, for the full flavor.
• Pickle Juice – This adds even more pickle flavor and helps keep the pasta from drying out.
• Fresh Dill – adds great fresh dill flavor to the dressing.
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cayenne Pepper

Directions:

Step One – Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. 

Step Two – In a large mixing bowl add mayo, sour cream, pickle, juice, dill, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk together. 

Step Three – Add cooked pasta to mixing bowl and mix. Then add in sliced dill pickles diced cheddar cheese and minced onion. 

Step Four – Chill in the fridge for 1 hour then serve and enjoy.

Tips for Best Results

• Rinse pasta with cold water so it cools quickly.
• Let the pasta soak up pickle juice for extra flavor.
• Chill before serving so the flavors come together.
• Add extra pickles on top before serving if you love pickle flavor.

FAQs

Can I make pickle pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, this is actually even better after chilling for a few hours.

What pasta works best?
Rotini, shells, or bowtie pasta all work great.

Can I add meat?
Yes, diced ham or shredded chicken are great additions.

How long does pickle pasta salad last?
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Try some of my other Pasta Salad Recipes:

Taco Pasta Salad – Seasoned with taco seasonings this Taco Pasta Salad is the perfect summertime side dish. It’s filled with green onions, bell peppers, corn, Mexican shredded cheese, and completely delicious!

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – The only dish to bring to this year’s BBQ or pool party! This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is so easy to make and a real crowd pleaser! Elbow Macaroni, broccoli, cubed cheddar cheese and cherry tomatoes tossed in a homemade Ranch dressing makes this pasta salad really hearty.

Italian Pasta Salad – This Italian Pasta Salad is an amazing replacement for a simple lunchtime Italian Sub. You will love this hearty lunch salad, and anyone seeing you eat this will be jealous!

If you tried any of my recipes, I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.

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