Description
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a delightfully tangy and creamy dish that puts a unique spin on the classic pasta salad. Combining the bold flavors of dill pickles, cheddar cheese, and a zesty ranch-style dressing, this crowd-pleasing salad is sure to become a new summertime favorite.
Ingredients
- Rotini Pasta
- Cheddar Cheese
- Dill Pickles
- Ranch Dressing Seasoning
- Mayonnaise and Sour Cream
- Pickle Juice
- Chopped Bacon
- Dill Weed
Instructions
1. Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil and cooking the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and chill the noodles.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ranch seasoning, mayonnaise, sour cream, and pickle juice. Whisk the ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and well-incorporated.
3. Add the chilled, cooked pasta, diced cheddar cheese, chopped dill pickles, and crispy bacon bits to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss the ingredients until everything is evenly coated.
4. Sprinkle the dill weed over the salad and give it a final gentle stir to distribute the seasoning throughout.
5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the Dill Pickle Pasta Salad for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld together. When ready to serve, scoop the chilled, creamy salad into bowls or onto plates and enjoy its tangy, flavor-packed deliciousness.
Notes
To ensure your Dill Pickle Pasta Salad turns out absolutely amazing, keep these helpful tips in mind:
Choosing the Right Pasta: Rotini is the ideal pasta shape for this salad, as its corkscrew-like texture helps the dressing and ingredients cling to the noodles. However, you can also use other small, sturdy pasta shapes like farfalle (bow-tie), penne, or elbow macaroni.
Variations with Different Cheeses: While medium cheddar cheese is the classic choice, you can experiment with other cheese varieties like pepper jack, Colby, or even crumbled feta for a tangier twist.
Making it Healthier: To lighten up the dish, you can use Greek yogurt in place of some or all of the mayonnaise and sour cream. For a dairy-free option, opt for a plant-based yogurt or vegan mayonnaise.
Serving Suggestions: Dill Pickle Pasta Salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats, fried chicken, or as a refreshing side for burgers and hot dogs.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 70