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Creamy Dill Pasta

Category: 30-Minute Meals for Busy Days

This bold dish is full of dill pickle zest, creamy dressing, and cheddar cheese. An ideal choice for pickle fans!

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Barbara Chef
Updated on Wed, 09 Apr 2025 22:59:30 GMT
Close-up view of a creamy pasta salad with spiral noodles, pickles, cheddar chunks, and garnished dill. Highlight
Close-up view of a creamy pasta salad with spiral noodles, pickles, cheddar chunks, and garnished dill. | cookwithcarla.com

A Tangy Spin on Pasta Salad

I whipped up this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad on a whim and my family fell in love with it right away. The curly rotini catches all the creamy, zesty dressing while bits of strong white cheddar and snappy dill pickles make every mouthful perfect. Let it sit in the fridge for an hour and all those punchy flavors blend together, making it the dish everyone begs for at our backyard parties.

Unique and Exciting

This stands out from ordinary pasta salads. Mixing zingy pickles, smooth dressing and soft pasta creates something special that you'll want again and again. I always bring it to cookouts, get-togethers and family meals because you can make it beforehand and it always gets tons of compliments.

What You'll Need

Want me to list what you'll need for both the salad and the rich dressing?

A close-up of a creamy pasta salad topped with diced pickles, yellow bell pepper, and fresh dill. Highlight
A close-up of a creamy pasta salad topped with diced pickles, yellow bell pepper, and fresh dill. | cookwithcarla.com

Mixing the Dressing

I can show you how I make the zingy creamy dressing that ties everything in this dish together.

Putting It Together

I'll tell you how to mix all the ingredients and why letting it chill is so important for developing those amazing flavors.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I prep this in advance?

Sure! You can make it up to a day ahead. Add a splash of pickle juice before serving to refresh the flavors.

→ What does pickle juice do in the sauce?

It brightens things up and thins the sauce a bit while giving an extra punch of pickle taste.

→ Can I swap out the rotini pasta?

Absolutely, try shapes like penne, fusilli, or bow ties—anything that holds the sauce nicely.

→ How long does it stay fresh?

Keep it in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Stir in a little more dressing after sitting to keep it creamy.

→ Is pre-shredded cheese okay to use?

Not the best choice, as fresh-cubed cheese gives better texture. Pre-grated tends to dry out.

Tangy Dill Pickle

A bold pasta dish starring rotini, cheddar cubes, and tangy pickles all tossed in a refreshing creamy dressing.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 min

Category: Quick & Easy

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 big bowl)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/2 white onion, finely chopped.
02 3/4 cup mayonnaise.
03 2 cups chopped dill pickles, plus extra for topping.
04 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, cut into cubes.
05 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced, and more for garnish.
06 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced, and more for garnish.
07 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
08 2/3 cup pickle juice.
09 2 cloves garlic, finely minced.
10 1 pound of rotini pasta.
11 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
12 1/2 cup sour cream.

Steps

Step 01

Boil the pasta until it's just tender, then let it cool completely.

Step 02

Stir together the pickle juice, sour cream, mayo, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Step 03

Toss the pasta into the bowl with the dressing and mix well.

Step 04

Put in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Step 05

Add the diced pickles, cheese cubes, dill, and chives into the pasta.

Step 06

Splash a little more pickle juice on top just before eating.

Step 07

Sprinkle on some extra pickles, dill, and chives for flair.

Notes

  1. Keeps fresh in the fridge for a few days.
  2. Packable for outdoor events or trips.
  3. Tanginess can be upped with more pickle juice.
  4. A perfect dish if you're a fan of pickles.
  5. A great choice to prepare ahead of time.

Required Equipment

  • Pot for boiling pasta.
  • Colander for draining.
  • Mixing bowls.

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, sour cream).
  • Contains wheat (pasta).
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise).

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Fat: ~
  • Carbs: ~
  • Protein: ~