Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe

Name: Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 pound of pasta; 1 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup pickle juice; 1/4 cup fresh dill (chopped); salt and pepper to taste; 2 cups refrigerated dill pickles (chopped)

Jump to Recipe

My Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe focuses squarely on the pickle flavor factor, since we are big lovers of crunchy dill pickles in my home. This recipe is perfect for pickle lovers who crave that bold, tangy, and briny taste in their salads. The easy creamy pasta salad recipe features both pickles and dill pickle juice, as well as some fresh chopped dill. It is perfect for dill pickle fans!

While the pasta salad with dill pickles is a simple recipe, the results are creamy and delicious. It makes a perfect side for any family meal or gathering. Dill pickle pasta salad is a great dish for potlucks. You can conveniently make it ahead too, since it is even better the next day.

Easy Pickle Pasta Salad

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is quite an easy pasta salad to make and one of my favorite cold salad recipes. Since dill pickle juice and dill are in the mayonnaise based dressing, the only other dressing ingredients needed are salt and fresh ground pepper.

Type of pasta

While I used cavatappi (a spiralized type of macaroni), shells, fusilli, gemelli, penne or bowtie pasta would also be great choices for this salad. You can even make the pasta salad with tortellini if you wish. For best results, cook the pasta according to the package instructions, paying attention to recommended cooking time and any rinsing procedures. Just avoid large pasta shapes or noodles for best pasta salad results.

Dill Pickle Flavor

I used fresh dill pickle spears from the refrigerated section in the recipe. They are crisper and a little milder in tartness than the shelf stable variety. I think they are the perfect choice for this macaroni salad.

The particular brand I used was Grillo's which is a company local to my area, but there are many other nationwide and regional brands available.

Baby dill pickles would also be a great choice for this creamy pasta salad, and in a pinch a scoop of dill pickle relish would work, though not ideal.

Note: I would use about fifty percent less pickles if you can't get fresh.

How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Let me show you how quick and easy it is to mix up a batch of this great simple dill pickle pasta salad. The recipe makes a large bowl.

Printable recipe card can be below with adjustable measures if you want to halve it or double up the batch.

Prep Time: 8 mins | Cook Time: 7 mins | Chill Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 45 mins

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Ingredients:

Here are the minimal ingredients needed to make the recipe:

dry pasta (rotini, penne, elbow macaroni, bow ties or cavatappi as shown are all good choices)
dill pickles, refrigerated type preferred
mayonnaise
pickle juice, dill (I always save the leftover pickle juice in the pickle jar for uses such as this. The seasoned vinegar adds extra tanginess.)
chopped fresh dill
salt and black pepper

Instructions:

Boil pasta to al dente according to package directions. Carefully pour the cooked pasta into a strainer, drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside the cooked pasta.

Chop the pickles and place in a small bowl or measuring cup.

Combine mayonnaise, juice and dill in a large mixing bowl, whisk to create creamy dill dressing. Season with salt and ground pepper to your preference and stir to mix. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before adding the pasta and pickles.

Add the chopped dill pickles and mix in dressing to coat.

Tip: This dill pickle salad dressing also makes a great potato salad! Just add a ½ cup of sour cream and some chopped chives.

Add the cooled pasta to the dressing while stirring to combine.

Once the pasta is fully coated and pickle pieces are evenly distributed, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until well chilled before serving for best flavor.

pickle pasta salad in bowl — *Classic pasta salad loaded with fresh dill pickle flavor.*

Tips for Success

To make your dill pickle pasta salad truly shine, start with the freshest ingredients you can find. Opt for crisp dill pickles, vibrant fresh dill, and real mayo for a creamy, flavorful base. When cooking your pasta, aim for al dente—this ensures your pasta salad holds its shape and doesn’t turn mushy once tossed with the dressing. Let the pasta cool completely before mixing it with the creamy dressing and other ingredients; this helps maintain the perfect texture and prevents sogginess.

Serving

The dill pickle pasta cold salad is a fantastic tasty side dish for barbecue or sandwiches a summer picnic, but is delicious year round. It's a perfect side for any BBQ, pairing well with grilled meats like burgers, chicken, or ribs to enhance your meal. This salad is also vegetarian-friendly, making it a great option for those following a vegetarian diet.

I enjoy it with my Cajun Blackened Salmon regularly and like to toss the leftovers with torn romaine and blue cheese as a lunch salad. It is a very versatile creamy pasta salad and goes well with a wide array of foods from Grilled Chicken Wraps to pork chops.

Try adding dill pickle pasta salad to your Thanksgiving menu this year. Guests and family will appreciate a cold option and it will go wonderfully with those leftovers sandwiches.

For a fun twist, portion the salad into small bowls or jars for individual serving, perfect for parties or picnics. Just before serving, drizzle a little extra pickle juice or add a dollop of sour cream on top for a tangy, creamy finish. These simple touches will make your pickle pasta salad as appealing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds.

Additions to the Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad

My daughter will only eat it with just pickles. She is very fussy about what goes in her pasta salads, but there are so many yummy additions you can make to this basic yet delicious pasta salad recipe. Adding protein makes this side into an easy and delicious summer meal.

a cup cheddar cheese, diced or shredded (I personally prefer sharp cheddar cheese, but Colby jack cheese or even feta cheese are popular choices) Cubed cheddar or colby jack cheese will hold up well for longer term storage.
chopped cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, whole or halved
chopped sweet onion or finely diced red onion or white onion
shrimp or crab meat
chopped ham
½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt swapped for an equal part of the mayo for a lower fat version
chopped hard boiled eggs
drained chickpeas or green peas
add some crunch with diced celery or crumbled crispy bacon
Chopped fresh veggies or a handful of chopped fresh herbs from your garden are always a welcome seasonal addition to pasta salad recipes
add a ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder to the dressing
for a sweeter salad use some Miracle Whip whipped dressing in place of some of the real mayonnaise (if you really like sweet try sweet pickles in the recipe)
for Italian flair, switch ⅓ cup of the mayo for Italian salad dressing. A little chopped fresh parsley or Italian seasoning would kick it up even more.
To make a gluten free version, simply swap in your favorite gluten free pasta

Storage

To keep your dill pickle pasta salad fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container in the fridge as soon as possible after making it. This helps lock in the creamy flavor and prevents the salad from drying out or picking up other fridge odors. Always keep your salad chilled at or below 40°F (4°C) for food safety. It will last for 3-5 days in the fridge.

For food safety, do not leave out of the fridge for more than 2 hours at room temperature. Bacteria grow fast when pasta salads are left out.

Q & A

Can I use dried dill?

Yes, while fresh dill is preferred, dried can be used. Swap 1 ½ tablespoon of dried dill weed for the fresh.

Can I freeze pasta salads?

I do not recommend freezing this. The texture will suffer and the dressing will not hold up well either.

Is this pasta salad vegan?

No, but simply swapping in a vegan mayo will make it so.

If you love dill pickles like I do, I'm pretty sure this will quickly become your favorite pasta salad. Enjoy.

P.S. Try my Asian Cucumber Salad too. It is not quite like pickles, but sort of, with great flavors.