By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 27, 2025
This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is my go-to recipe for potluck season—it always ends up being the star of the table. The creamy dressing is packed with a briny, tangy bite that I just can’t get enough of. It’s the perfect side dish to serve alongside hot dogs and hamburgers, whether I’m heading to a summer picnic or a graduation cookout.
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Easy Pickle Pasta Salad
I’m a huge fan of anything with pickles, so it’s no surprise this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad has become a staple in my kitchen—especially during the warmer months. It’s tangy, creamy, and packed with crunchy pickles and tender pasta, making it the ultimate side dish for cookouts, picnics, or easy lunches. Every bite delivers that briny, bold flavor I love, and the whole thing comes together in no time. If you’re a pickle lover like me, this one’s a must-try!
This is a variation on an idea from my friend Holly at Spend with Pennies ! Be sure to check out her version too!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 lb. dry rotini pasta (1 box), or any short shaped pasta
- ▢ 8 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese sliced into cubes
- ▢ 2 cups diced dill pickles plus more for topping, try homemade
- ▢ 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill plus more for topping, dried also works
- ▢ 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives plus more for topping
- ▢ ¾ cup mayonnaise store-bought or homemade, regular or low fat
- ▢ ½ cup sour cream low fat also works
- ▢ ⅔ cup pickle juice (from the pickle jar)
- ▢ ½ white onion minced
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Video
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and let it cool completely. 1 lb. dry rotini pasta
- Add the pasta, cheese cubes, diced dill pickles, dill, and chives to a large salad bowl. 8 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese, 2 cups diced dill pickles, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- In a separate dish, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper together. ¾ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, ⅔ cup pickle juice, ½ white onion, 2 cloves garlic, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- Toss the dressing and salad ingredients together until combined. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Toss the salad with an additional ¼-½ cup pickle juice if desired.
- Top the salad with extra pickles, dill, and chives.
Becky’s Tips
- Try a mix of dill and sweet pickles for a sweet and savory salad.
- If you’re worried about the onions having too much bite, soak them in ice water for 10 minutes before adding them to the dressing.
- I recommend rinsing pasta after cooking . This helps rinse off any excess starch, stops the pasta from overcooking, and allows it to cool much faster.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Step by Step
Cook the pasta : Cook 1 lb. pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and let it cool completely.
Combine the ingredients : Add the pasta, 8 oz. cheese cubes, 2 cups diced dill pickles, 1 tbsp dill, and 1 tbsp chives to a large salad bowl.
Make the dressing : In a separate dish, whisk ¾ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, ⅔ cup pickle juice, ½ white onion, 2 cloves garlic, ½ tsp kosher salt, and ¼ tsp ground black pepper.
Toss and refrigerate: Toss the dressing and salad ingredients together until combined. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Toss the salad with an additional ¼-½ cup pickle juice if desired.
Top and serve: Top the salad with extra pickles, dill, and chives and enjoy.
Variations
- Go ahead and switch up the cheese to change the flavor profile slightly. I like pepper jack, provolone, Swiss, or Colby Jack cheese too.
- Try adding fresh veggies, like cherry tomatoes, celery, carrots, bell pepper, or red onion, to stretch this salad further. They add a pop of color, too!
- To make it more filling, try adding a protein, like shredded chicken , canned tuna, or bacon crumbles .
The possibilities are endless!
How to Store
Store leftover dill pickle pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve chilled for the best taste.
Serving Suggestions
Surprise everyone with this tangy twist on a classic pasta salad , aka my favorite summer potluck recipe! If you want to go the extra mile, we recommend bringing this mind-blowing grilled corn salad or a juicy grilled peach salad too. I also love bringing this lavender lemonade for the kids and a summer wine slush for the adults!
More Pasta Salad Recipes We Love
Macaroni Salad Recipe
Pesto Pasta Salad
Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dry rotini pasta (1 box), or any short shaped pasta
- 8 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese sliced into cubes
- 2 cups diced dill pickles plus more for topping, try homemade
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill plus more for topping, dried also works
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives plus more for topping
- ¾ cup mayonnaise store-bought or homemade, regular or low fat
- ½ cup sour cream low fat also works
- ⅔ cup pickle juice (from the pickle jar)
- ½ white onion minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and let it cool completely. 1 lb. dry rotini pasta
- Add the pasta, cheese cubes, diced dill pickles, dill, and chives to a large salad bowl. 8 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese, 2 cups diced dill pickles, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- In a separate dish, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper together. ¾ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, ⅔ cup pickle juice, ½ white onion, 2 cloves garlic, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- Toss the dressing and salad ingredients together until combined. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Toss the salad with an additional ¼-½ cup pickle juice if desired.
- Top the salad with extra pickles, dill, and chives.
Video
Notes
- Try a mix of dill and sweet pickles for a sweet and savory salad.
- If you’re worried about the onions having too much bite, soak them in ice water for 10 minutes before adding them to the dressing.
- I recommend rinsing pasta after cooking . This helps rinse off any excess starch, stops the pasta from overcooking, and allows it to cool much faster.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
