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Pickle Pasta Salad

Cool, tangy pasta salad loaded with crunchy dill pickles, sharp cheddar, and fresh dill in a creamy pickle-brine dressing; the dill-pickle-obsessed side that took over food TikTok in summer 2026. Plan ahead: chill at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

32 minEasyServes 6480 cal/serving

AmericanSaladStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

  • 1 lb rotini pasta
  • 1 cup dill pickles, diced
  • 1/4 cup dill pickle brine
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 1 lb rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente.

  2. 2

    Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, then let it drain fully.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup dill pickle brine, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.

  4. 4

    Add the drained pasta, 1 cup diced dill pickles, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, and 1 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese to the dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.

  5. 5

    Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, tossing again and adjusting seasoning with extra pickle brine just before serving.

Questions

Can I make Pickle Pasta Salad dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed. Swap the sour cream for thick coconut yogurt with a squeeze of lemon; the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Pickle Pasta Salad gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 lb rotini pasta. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

Can I make Pickle Pasta Salad ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Dressed, it is best the day it is made. Keep the components separate and refrigerated and they hold about two days; dress just before serving.

Can I halve or double Pickle Pasta Salad?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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