Description
A delightful twist on classic pasta salad, featuring tender pasta, crisp dill pickles, sharp cheddar, and a creamy, tangy dill dressing perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
12 ounces small pasta (e.g., elbow macaroni, rotini, ditalini)
1 ½ cups finely chopped dill pickles (about 3-4 large pickles)
½ cup finely diced red onion
½ cup finely diced celery
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup dill pickle juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped dill pickles, red onion, celery, cheddar cheese, and fresh dill.
Step 3: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, dill pickle juice, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder until smooth.
Step 4: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Stir gently until all ingredients are well combined and thoroughly coated with the creamy dressing.
Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir again before serving.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing. If making ahead, you might need to add a splash more pickle juice or milk to thin the dressing before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
