Calling all Dill Pickle fans! You are going to love this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad. If you felt you needed an excuse to eat more dill pickles, this salad has got your back. But seriously, who needs an excuse to eat more pickles. AMIRIGHT?? My love of pickles is only slightly overshadowed by my love of cheese. Lucky for me, this Dill Pickle Pasta salad has got both.
People always joke with women who are expecting… asking them if they’re craving dill pickles and ice cream. I’d really like to meet someone who had this craving. Even while pregnant this seems crazy. I understand pregnancy cravings are not meant to have logical but still… dill pickles and ice cream?!?
My love of pickles started as a young child. I’d be the kid cleaning out the pickle bowl when no one was watching at the potluck suppers. Even as an adult, when I host a shindig, I still serve up at least 3 different types of pickles. And what ever is leftover I consume the next day because I don’t want them going bad. It would be such a shame to waste pickles.
My addiction for pickles did intensify while I was pregnant, however I craved crackers and cheese with a slice of pickle on top. Every. Single. Night. Truth be told, it’s still my go-to snack if I’m peckish. Especially if I’ve poured myself a glass of wine. I’ve gotten a little fancier over the years. Now I enjoy charcuterie boards. I’m really not fooling anyone. It really is only crackers, cheese and pickles. I now add dried cured meats and fruit to my plate to make it seem like I’m all fancy smanchy.
My entire family loves pickles and we try to consume them at every opportunity. Most of the time it’s on the side of our main course but this time, with this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, I have an excuse to fill my bowl with pickles and cheese, and some pasta and consume copious amounts!! Sneaky, aren’t I?
I figured with BBQ season right around the corner, I wanted to come up with some new salad flavors for the summer. I’m happy to include this easy pasta salad recipe along with my classic macaroni salad, classic potato salad, Caesar salad and seven layer salad to the list. The dill pickle pasta salad may not appeal to the masses like these other classics but I’m happy to help other fellow dill pickle lovers fill their faces with pickles. Do you have a favorite salad you like to serve at a BBQ?
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried pasta , like rigatoni or penne (450 g)
- 2 cups dill pickles , chopped
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese , diced small
- ½ cup red onion (optional)
Dressing
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or ¼ cup fresh dill
- 2 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta as per directions on the package until the pasta is el dente. Don’t over cook. Pasta is best in a salad if it still a bit firm. Drain the pasta and set aside to cool.
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While the pasta is cooking, combine the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and whisk until well incorporated. Set aside.
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Chop the pickles, dice the cheese and chop the red onion. Set aside.
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Transfer the slightly cooled pasta into a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the pasta and stir to coat the pasta completely. If the pasta is still warm, wait a few more minutes to cool before stirring in the pickles, onions and cheese. You will want the pasta to be cool enough that it will not melt the cheese when you add it in.
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Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for an hour or two (or overnight) to let the flavours blend together.
