Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad (Printable)

Vibrant tangy pasta salad with ditalini, dill pickles, peas, and creamy zesty dressing. Ideal for spring gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta & Vegetables

01 - 2 cups ditalini pasta, uncooked
02 - 1 cup dill pickles, diced
03 - 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
04 - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

→ Dressing

06 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream
08 - 2 tablespoons pickle juice
09 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
11 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ditalini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain through a colander and rinse under cold running water until completely cooled.
02 - Transfer cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add diced dill pickles, thawed peas, chopped celery, and diced red onion. Mix gently to combine.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until the mixture reaches a smooth, uniform consistency.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
05 - Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and develop.
06 - Remove from refrigerator and stir the salad thoroughly. Adjust seasoning if necessary and garnish with additional fresh dill before serving chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It gets better overnight, making it perfect for make ahead meals
  • The creamy tangy dressing clings to every bite of pasta and vegetable
  • Crowds go crazy for the unexpected pickle twist
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta thoroughly under cold water is non negotiable or it will keep cooking and turn mushy
  • The salad needs that refrigeration time for the flavors to properly marry and the dressing to penetrate the pasta
03 -
  • Cut your pickles and vegetables into small, uniform pieces so every forkful gets a little bit of everything
  • Taste the final salad before serving because pickle brine saltiness varies wildly between brands
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