This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad has become a staple side dish in the summertime at our house for backyard barbecues and picnics. It’s so simple to assemble in about 20 minutes and is studded with delicious dill flavor. If you are a pickle lover, this is a recipe you’ll be making on repeat!
I first made this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad for my son’s birthday party a few years ago at a little family bbq. Little did I know, it would become the hit of the whole meal. There wasn’t a bite left and so many people asked me for the recipe. Ever since, it’s become a staple on every summer menu at our house with burgers, grilled chicken, or ribs.
I think the key to make it so delicious is making homemade ranch dressing, I’ll never go back to a store-bought bottle! With just a handful of ingredients, it’s easy to whip the dressing up in minutes and toss with the pasta for the creamiest bite. If you love a good pasta salad, my Macaroni Salad and Tortellini Caesar Salad are two others to try.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- 10 ingredient salad recipe. It’s a super simple side dish that’s made with easy to find ingredients for a spoonful of so much flavor.
- Perfect to make in advance. Toss the salad together and let it marinate in the fridge for a few hours before guests arrive.
- Pair with all different main courses. Add to any summer barbecue or picnic alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, and other salads.
Ingredients
- Rotini pasta: Spiral noodles that bind the dressing well. You can use another small shaped pasta too.
- Baby dill pickles: Reserve some of the dill pickle juice for the dressing for a nice briny flavor.
- Red onion: A bite of crunchy red onion that’s tart and adds nice color. If you don’t like raw onion, soak it in ice water for a few minutes, drain, and pat dry.
- Tomato: Adds nice juicy flavor. Use a regular ripe tomato or cherry tomatoes.
- Cheddar cheese: Cube the cheese for a sharp and delicious bite.
- Fresh dill: Always use fresh for the most vibrant dill pasta salad.
- Mayonnaise: Creamy base for the dressing.
- Sour cream: Adds both tang and more creaminess to the homemade ranch dressing.
- Buttermilk: Optional, but a little bit thins the dressing to the right consistency and gives a ranch-like feel.
- Ranch seasoning: Use the packet for the easiest seasoning you can add to this dill pickle pasta salad.
- Dill pickle juice: Adds brininess and another punch of dill flavor.
How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- In a small mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, buttermilk and pickle juice to make the dressing. In a large salad bowl add the cooled pasta, dill pickles, onion, tomatoes cheese, fresh dill, and dressing.
2. Stir ingredients together until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to blend.
Expert Tips
- Don’t boil the pasta noodles for too long. Cook them until they are just al dente, then rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking. This will keep texture in the pasta salad.
- Add as much or as little pickle flavor as you with. You can add even more fresh dill or chopped pickles to taste!
- Try another type of pickle. I love dill pickles in this salad, but you can easily use sweet pickles or even spicy pickles too.
- Swap the homemade ranch dressing for store-bought. I do think the homemade ranch is what makes this salad, but if you are in a pinch for time, the store-bought is also delicious.
What to Serve with Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
There are so many options! Here are some of my favorite recipe recommendations:
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let it sit out at room temperature to remove some of the chill. We don’t recommend freezing the pasta salad since it will change the texture once it thaws.
If you want to make it in advance, go for it! The flavors get better and better as it sits in the fridge.
FAQs
Just make sure you make it ahead of time for the flavors to marinate and don’t over-boil the noodles or the texture will be mushy.
You probably didn’t drain the pasta well enough or added too much pickle juice to the dressing, making it very thin.
You can easily add shredded chicken or turkey to make it a complete meal. Try using a different type of cheese or omit the ranch seasoning for a more mild, creamy dressing.
More Easy Salad Recipes
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Method
- In a small mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, buttermilk and pickle juice to make the dressing. In a large salad bowl add the cooled pasta, dill pickles, onion, tomatoes cheese, fresh dill, and dressing.
- Stir ingredients together until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to blend.Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t boil the pasta noodles for too long. Cook them until they are just al dente, then rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking. This will keep texture in the pasta salad.
- Add as much or as little pickle flavor as you with. You can add even more fresh dill or chopped pickles to taste!
- Try another type of pickle. I love dill pickles in this salad, but you can easily use sweet pickles or even spicy pickles too.
- Swap the homemade ranch dressing for store-bought. I do think the homemade ranch is what makes this salad, but if you are in a pinch for time, the store-bought is also delicious.