Description
Summer gatherings shine with this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, a zesty blend of tangy pickles, creamy dressing, and crisp vegetables. Crunchy pasta perfection awaits as you savor each refreshing bite of this crowd-pleasing side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 16 oz (450 g) rotini pasta
- 1 cup (150 g) cooked pasta shells
Pickles and Vegetables:
- 1 cup (150 g) diced dill pickles
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced red onion
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup (40 g) chopped fresh dill
Dressing and Extras:
- 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) white vinegar
- 1 tsp (5 g) garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp (3 g) black pepper
- 1/2 tsp (3 g) salt
- 1/4 cup (40 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp (30 g) chopped chives
Instructions
- Boil rotini and pasta shells in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
- While pasta cools, dice dill pickles, red onion, and bell peppers into uniform small pieces to ensure consistent flavor distribution.
- Whisk mayonnaise, dijon mustard, white vinegar, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Add cooled pasta, diced pickles, red onion, bell peppers, and chopped fresh dill to the dressing. Gently fold ingredients together to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and chopped chives over the pasta salad, mixing carefully to distribute ingredients throughout.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and develop, ensuring a more robust taste profile.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir to redistribute dressing and re-coat the ingredients. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- Pickle Precision: Finely dice pickles to distribute their tangy flavor evenly throughout the pasta salad without overwhelming other ingredients.
- Temperature Tactics: Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain a perfect al dente texture.
- Flavor Fusion: Let the salad chill for at least an hour to allow ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for lighter or plant-based alternatives without compromising the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg