Description
A tangy and creamy dill pickle pasta salad combining rotini pasta, sharp cheddar cheese, baby dill pickles, and a zesty dill dressing. Perfect chilled and served as a refreshing side dish for picnics or barbecues.
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
- ½ cup sliced green onion
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (divided 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 Pasta: Bring a 6 to 7 quart pot of water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook uncovered until al dente, about 12-15 minutes depending on package instructions.
- Drain and Cool Pasta: Drain the pasta using a colander, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it drain completely before transferring to a large bowl.
- Combine Pasta Salad Ingredients: Stir in the 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 with the pasta.
- Make Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle juice, onion powder, remaining 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill, kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and chipotle powder until smooth and fully combined.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and stir well to evenly coat all ingredients.
- Chill: Cover the salad tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Stir well before serving again, adding a splash of pickle juice or a spoonful of mayo or sour cream to refresh creaminess.
- Ensure pasta is fully cooled before mixing with dressing to prevent soggy salad.
- Use tangy garlicky dill pickles instead of sweet pickles for the best flavor balance.
- Add chipotle powder gradually and taste as it provides a smoky kick that can intensify quickly.
- For an added savory crunch, try mixing in crumbled cooked bacon.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley or dill on top just before serving for a vibrant, fresh presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
