Description
Creamy dill pickle pasta salad brings summer picnic vibes to your table with tangy crunch and cool dressing. Crisp ingredients and zesty pickles create a delightful side dish you’ll crave at backyard gatherings and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound dry shell pasta
- 3/4 cup pickles, sliced
- 2/3 cup cheddar cheese, diced
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 3 tablespoons white onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until tender yet firm, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Immediately drain pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt cooking process and cool down the noodles.
- Infuse pasta with tangy pickle essence by coating with pickle juice, allowing flavors to penetrate for 5 minutes, then drain excess liquid.
- Craft a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, and seasonings until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate diced pickles, crumbled cheese, finely chopped onion, and fresh dill into the pasta, creating a vibrant and textured mixture.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over the pasta, gently folding ingredients to ensure even distribution without crushing delicate components.
- Refrigerate the salad for minimum 1 hour, allowing flavors to meld and develop a rich, harmonious taste profile.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir to redistribute ingredients and enhance overall flavor integration.
Notes
- Ensure pasta is cooked al dente to maintain a firm texture and prevent mushiness when mixed with dressing.
- Marinating pasta in pickle juice adds an extra tangy flavor boost that penetrates the noodles for a more intense taste experience.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise and sour cream to reduce calories while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Customize the heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper or adding fresh chopped jalapeños for those who enjoy a spicier kick to the pasta salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg