Whether he’s stirring something new and delicious into his skillet cornbread, adding a healthy twist to a favorite comfort food recipe, or trying out a new exotic spice, Senior Food Editor Josh Miller loves dreaming up delicious, cookable recipes for PioneerWoman.com. When he hangs up his apron for the day, you can him in his pottery studio, creating fun and functional items for the kitchen and home.
It's not a party until this dill pickle pasta salad shows up! Pickle lovers, rejoice—this flavor-packed side dish is everything you love about the best pasta salads, with a tangy, pickle-packed twist. It comes together in a snap and just needs about an hour to chill in the fridge to make it cool and creamy. Make it for cookouts, potlucks, or just a simple supper. It's the perfect partner for saucy barbecue recipes like grilled ribs and Ree Drummond's favorite bacon-topped baked beans. Everyone will want the recipe!
What's in pickle pasta salad?
All the great things you love about pickles team up to give pickle pasta salad its amazing flavor. Diced pickles and fresh dill go into the salad and for a little extra flavor, tasty cubes of diced sharp cheddar cheese get stirred in. The cheese is the perfect balance for the vinegar-y pickles.
What's the dressing made of?
The dressing is creamy and packed with flavor thanks to a mixture of good ol' mayo, sour cream, and the secret ingredient—dill pickle juice—to give the perfect tang.
What pickles are best for pickle pasta salad?
The best pickles for this salad are totally a matter of personal preference. Pickle chips are faster to dice, but spears are just fine! Classic dill are great, but bread and butter pickles or sweet and spicy pickles give this pasta salad another layer of flavor!
Can you use a different kind of pasta?
Sure! There are no hard and fast rules on pasta shapes here, but a short pasta with a little texture works best here so that the creamy dressing has something to cling to. This recipe calls for corkscrew (also called cavatappi) pasta but you could use penne, rotini, or large shells instead.
Can pickle pasta salad be made ahead of time?
Yes! The pasta salad will soak up some of the dressing as it rests overnight, so take it out of the fridge about half an hour before serving and add a splash or two of pickle juice. Give it a good stir, and top with more fresh dill just before serving.
- Yields:
- 10 - 12 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 15 mins
- Total Time:
- 1 hr 15 mins
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 1 c.
mayonnaise
- 1/2 c.
sour cream
- 1/4 c.
pickle juice (from the jar)
- 1/2 tsp.
ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp.
salt
For the Pasta Salad:
- 1 lb.
dried corkscrew pasta
- 2 1/2 c.
diced dill pickles, plus more for garnish
- 2 c.
diced cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp.
fresh dill, plus more for garnish
Directions
- Step 1For the dressing: Stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl until smooth, set aside.
- Step 2For the salad: Cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain, rinse with cold water to cool the pasta, and drain again. Let stand 5 minutes.
- Step 3Add the cooled pasta, pickles, cheese, and dill to a large bowl; add the dressing, and stir to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to a day ahead. Garnish with more diced pickles and fresh dill, if you like.
Tip: Substitute grated cheddar cheese (wide pieces, not finely shredded), and save time on dicing!
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