Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe

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 and fresh bell peppers! 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! Can be made dairy free, low fat, and even low carb.

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Why You'll Love It 

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. Allow yourself a minimum of 2 hours to let your salad get nice and cold.

Healthy. To make it low-carb and keto, use 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 higher protein alternative. To make it lower in fat, use light mayonnaise and sour cream (or Greek yogurt).

Pickle Pasta Salad Ingredients

• 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: use any sharpness level of cheddar cheese. 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 an alternative if preferred.
• Sour Cream: you can substitute with plain Greek yogurt if you want to increase the protein and reduce fats.
• Salt
• Pepper

Substitutions and 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 Colby jack cheese, pepper jack, or dill Havarti.
• 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

1. Cook macaroni according to the package until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a large bowl, add all ingredients. Stir until well combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate the dill pasta salad at least 2 hours before serving to blend flavors. Adjust salt and pepper to taste after it's had time to chill.

How To Serve Dill Pasta 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!