Description
A tangy and creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad featuring rotini pasta tossed with baby dill pickles, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh onions, and a zesty dill-infused dressing. This refreshing pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 16 ounce package Rotini Pasta
- 2 cups baby dill pickles sliced ⅛ inch thick
- 1½ cup diced sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup finely chopped sweet yellow onion (such as Vidalia)
- ½ cup sliced green onion
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (divide 2 tablespoons for pasta and 2 tablespoons for dressing)
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup dill pickle juice
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a 6 to 7 quart pot of water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook uncovered until al dente, approximately 12 minutes.
- Drain and cool pasta: Drain the pasta using a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow to drain completely.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the cooked pasta, sliced baby dill pickles, diced sharp cheddar cheese, finely chopped sweet yellow onion, sliced green onion, and 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill until well combined.
- Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle juice, onion powder, remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill, kosher salt, black pepper, and chipotle powder until smooth and well combined.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir well until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill: Cover the pasta salad tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Stir well before serving and refresh with a splash of pickle juice or a spoonful of mayo or sour cream if needed.
- Ensure pasta is fully cooled before adding dressing to prevent sogginess.
- Use tangy, garlicky dill pickles for the best savory flavor; avoid sweet pickles.
- Adjust chipotle powder carefully as it adds smoky heat that builds quickly.
- For added crunch and flavor, consider adding crumbled cooked bacon.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or dill before serving for an extra fresh touch and appealing presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
