• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Seeking Good Eats logo

  • Recipes
  • by Course
  • Low Carb & Keto
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • A rectangle charcuterie board with a variety of cheese, salami, dried fruit, nuts, and olives.
      Simple Charcuterie Board
    • Four chicken breasts on a white oval plate with a side of peas with butter.
      Baked Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast
    • Looking down on an open glass jar of cauliflower pickles with fresh herbs.
      How To Make Pickled Cauliflower
    • Broccoli cheese soup served in a white bowl with fresh chives and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.
      Homemade Cheddar Broccoli Soup
    • A white bowl of butternut squash soup drizzled with sour cream and topped with toasted pecans.
      Easy Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
    • The best fried rice in a white bowl with colorful peas and carrots with sliced green onion.
      Best Recipe for Fried Rice
    • Grilled peach salad with creamy white burrata cheese, tomatoes, arugula, and toasted pine nuts.
      Grilled Peach Salad with Burrata
    • Juicy filet mignon steak with melting herb butter and fresh chives on a white plate.
      How To Grill Filet Mignon
    • A clear glass jar with pickle slices.
      Easy Recipe for Refrigerator Pickles
    • A white oval bowl with shredded barbacoa beef with rice and black beans.
      Barbacoa Chipotle Recipe
    • Square image of the zucchini ground beef taco casserole on a white plate
      Best Ground Beef Taco Casserole
    • Golden air fried chicken breasts on a white plate garnished with fresh parsley.
      Air Frying Chicken Breasts
    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Dill Pickle Salad

    Published: Aug 8, 2023 by seekinggoodeats · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe
    A bowl of creamy dill pickled pasta salad garnished with dill, sliced pickles, and cheddar cheese.

    Calling all pickle lovers for this incredible dill pickle pasta salad recipe! This pasta salad is creamy, tangy, dilly and has chunks of cheddar cheese with chopped dill pickles! The perfect side salad to make ahead of time and bring to any party or gathering--you're gonna love it, and your friends and family will too!

    A clear glass serving bowl filled with dill pickle pasta salad.
    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad 
    • Pickle Pasta Salad Ingredients
    • Dill Pasta Salad Variations
    • How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
    • How to Serve Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad
    • How to Store Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
    • Pickle Pasta Salad FAQs
    • Recipe
    • More Recipes To Try
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you will love this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad 

    Pickle Heaven! This dill pickle salad is everything you want in a creamy cold pasta salad. Add chopped dill pickles, fresh chopped dill, and use pickle juice in the sauce. All the other ingredients are accessories for the ultimate pasta salad.

    Make Ahead of Time. Pasta salad is always best if you let it sit in the fridge and chill to let the flavors combine together. Make sure you allow yourself a minimum of 2 hours to let your salad get nice and cold.

    Healthy. Make it low-carb and keto by using crisp, tender cauliflower florets instead of macaroni pasta. You can also substitute with chickpea pasta or protein pasta if you want to keep the noodles but want a healthier alternative.

    Pickle Pasta Salad Ingredients

    Colorful ingredients needed for making dill pickle pasta salad on a white wooden board.

    Here's what you'll need to make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad:

    • Elbow Macaroni: you can use any brand you prefer. Additionally, if you prefer to use chickpea pasta, gluten-free, or protein pasta, feel free to substitute for this recipe.
    • Dill Pickles: again, you can use any brand you love!
    • Dill Pickle Juice: reserve some juice from your pickles to add to your sauce in this recipe.
    • Cheddar Cheese: you can use any sharpness level of cheddar cheese if you would like to as well. I have used mild to sharp cheddar cheese, and all are delicious.
    • Yellow Onion: substitute with a different kind if you prefer.
    • Fresh Dill: fresh dill is really the way to go in this salad. I have made it fresh and without, and it makes a huge difference using fresh!
    • Mayonnaise: use full fat, reduced fat, or alternative if preferred.
    • Sour Cream: you can substitute with plain Greek yogurt if you want to increase the protein and reduce fats.
    • Salt
    • Pepper

    For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

    Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later! 😉

    Pinterest pin with dill pickle pasta salad with fresh vegetables and cheddar cheese cubes.

    Dill Pasta Salad Variations

    Use an alternative for elbow noodles in this recipe. Cauliflower florets would make this recipe low-carb and keto-friendly. You can also use protein pasta, gluten-free pasta, or your favorite alternative.

    Use a different style of noodle instead of the elbow macaroni, such as shells, bowtie, or penne.

    Use red, white, or sweet onion instead of yellow onion.

    Use a different kind of cheese, such as a Colby jack cheese, pepper jack, or dill Havarti cheese.

    Use plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream in this recipe. Use a keto version to lower the sugar and carbs in the recipe while increasing protein.

    Add shredded rotisserie chicken to the salad to make it a meal.

    Add sweetened or unsweetened cranberries to the salad to add another texture and flavor.

    Add some extra protein by adding your favorite nuts to the salad as well. I would highly suggest pistachios, slivered almonds, or toasted walnuts.

    How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

    Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this sauce:

    Adding pasta to boiling water in a saucepan.

    1. Cook macaroni according to the package until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.

    Adding the cooked pasta and all remaining ingredients to a large glass bowl.

    2. In a large bowl, add all ingredients. Stir until well combined.

    3. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Adjust salt and pepper to taste after it's had time to chill.

    How to Serve Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad

    Garnish with fresh dill, chopped green onion, or add crumbled bacon over the top.

    Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Serve as a side to your favorite grilled favorites such as burgers and grilled chicken or brats.

    Meal idea! Make these BBQ chicken wings and serve this dill pickle pasta salad as a side. Add a vegetable such as corn on the cob; when in season, or make some easy air fryer green beans!

    How to Store Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

    Store this pasta salad in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.

    The onions and pickles in the salad may release water over time but the noodles usually absorb the extra liquid. It is normal for this to happen.

    Pickle Pasta Salad FAQs

    Does pasta need to cool before making pasta salad?

    Yes, unless the recipe specifically calls for warm pasta, you should always rinse with cold water after its done to stop the cooking process then chill before adding to pasta salad.

    What are the five mistakes to avoid pasta salad?

    Make sure you use the right kind of noodles for the type of salad you are making. Try to keep all the sizes of your ingredients to be the same size. Season your salad at each step of making it to prevent under-seasoning. Try to cook your noodles al dente to prevent undercooking or overcooking them (both can ruin your pasta salad). Rinse your pasta in cold water after it is done cooking to stop the cooking process and rinse off the starch to prevent your noodles from sticking together.

    Should you rinse pasta when making pasta salad?

    Yes! Rinsing the pasta not only stops the pasta from cooking to prevent overcooking and becoming mushy, but it also rinses the starch off of the noodles to prevent them from sticking together.

    Recipe

    Dill pickle pasta salad served in a clear bowl and garnished with fresh dill and pickles.

    Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad

    This pasta salad is delicious. It's creamy and tangy - with a hint of sweetness. Always a hit at every gathering. Bonus: make it low carb and keto too!
    5 from 1 vote
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Author Kori
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course Salads
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 350 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounces dry elbow macaroni pasta
    • 1 cup chopped dill pickles
    • 8 ounces cubed cheddar cheese
    • ½ cup diced yellow onion
    • ⅓ cup chopped fresh dill
    • 1 red bell pepper
    • 2 tablespoons pickle juice
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • (optional:) 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon

    Instructions
     

    • Cook macaroni according to package until it is al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
    • In a large bowl add all of the ingredients. Stir until well combined.
    • Cover and refrigerate several hours to allow flavors to blend.

    Notes

    • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
    • VARIATIONS: Use a yellow, orange, or red bell pepper; Use any favorite cheese, but a sharper cheddar, smoked gouda, and swiss cheese have the most flavor impact. 
    • TIPS: Adjust any ingredient to your taste preferences. This is a very adaptable recipe. Allow the flavors to blend for at least 2 hours before serving. Adjust creaminess with more mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. Salt and pepper to taste after the flavors blend.
    • MAKE IT LOW CARB & KETO: Substitute bite sized chilled, crisp tender cooked cauliflower florets for the pasta. Cauliflower will not soak up excess liquid like pasta will. Stir well before serving and adjust seasoning and mayonnaise if needed. 
    • SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Garnish with fresh chopped dill.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 13gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 503mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 382IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 195mgIron: 1mg

    © 2023 Seeking Good Eats™

    More Recipes To Try

    • Dill Pickle Salsa Recipe
    • Refrigerator Pickles
    • Dill Pickle Slaw
    • Best Pickled Red Onions Recipe
    • Sweet & Tangy Pickled Red Cabbage
    • Creamy Tortellini Pasta Salad
    • Creamy Dill Salad Dressing
    • Grilled Peach Salad with Burrata
    • Italian Pasta Salad Recipe (Two Ways)
    • Seafood Pasta Salad (Use Pasta or Cauliflower)
    • Italian Antipasto Salad Platter Recipe
    • Cauliflower Broccoli Salad
    • Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon
    • Salmon with Dill Sauce

    More Salads Recipes

    • A square white bowl with Mexican coleslaw garnished with radish slices and fresh cilantro.
      Mexican Slaw Recipe
    • Pink pickled onions in a clear jar with a red onion in the background.
      Best Pickled Red Onions Recipe
    • A white bowl piled high with broccoli salad with bacon, cheese, carrots, and nuts.
      Cauliflower Broccoli Salad
    • A round glass bowl of pasta salad with olives, tomatoes, and colorful fresh vegetables.
      Creamy Tortellini Pasta Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Image of Kori Seeking Good Eats Founder

    Hello! I'm Kori and I am a food LOVER. I've had a lifelong passion for cooking and eating (of course)! At some point that catches up with you, right? Older and wiser, I now watch what I eat more closely. What's the hardest and most frustrating part? Finding recipes that are healthy, easy to make, AND taste great.

    More about me →


    Recent Recipes

    • A chip is dipped into a white bowl of colorful pickle de gallo.
      Dill Pickle Salsa Recipe
    • Closeup image of juicy grilled ribs served on a white plate with a side of barbeque sauce for dipping.
      The Best Pork Baby Back Ribs
    • Chicken curry in a white bowl garnished with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions.
      Crock Pot Chicken Curry
    • A clear round glass bowl full of Texas caviar dip garnished with fresh cilantro.
      Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    As featured in collage of websites

    Information

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    About

    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure page for more information.

    Copyright © 2023 Seeking Good Eats™