This dill pickle pasta salad recipe is the perfect side dish for summer picnics. A wonderful balance of brine, crunch, salt and creaminess this pasta salad is made with a simple homemade dill ranch dressing that is also perfect as a dip for fresh vegetables.
If you are a fan of dill, like I am, you are going to want to make dill pickle chex mix, fried pickles, or homemade seasoned ranch cheese crackers.
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🥒 What ingredients are in dill pickle pasta salad?
- gemelli pasta
- thick-cut bacon
- cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- Colby Jack cheese, diced in ¼-inch cubes
- kosher dill pickles, chopped
- mayonnaise
- sour cream
- fresh dill, chopped
- pickle juice from the jar of dill pickles
- milk
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt and pepper
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Directions:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease. Sous vide bacon is perfect in this recipe.
- While the bacon is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil.
- Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Rinse under cold water and drain excess water.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, dill, pickle juice, milk, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper.
- Or for a greener color to the dressing, blend in a Blendtec blender for 30 seconds.
- In a large pasta bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, cooked bacon, tomatoes, cheese and pickles. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until combined.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving for the best flavor results.
this is a variation of a recipe found at HuffPost.
📝 Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
I recommend a Gemelli pasta because it holds the dressing beautifully in the twists. If you do not have Gemelli on hand, campanelle, fusilli, rotini, ragiatori or Pipe rigate would make a good substitution.
You know I am going to suggest you use your own homemade dill pickles, but I know not everyone has them sitting in their pantry. I would suggest using a local dill pickle brand or the brand your family loves. The dill pickle spears work well in addition to whole dill pickles and mini dill pickles. I would shy away from slicked dill pickle chips as they don't hold up well in this pasta salad. 
I will make this recipe the night before if I remember! But I have also been known to make it fresh and serve it right away. I have found that the optimal time to make this pasta salad ahead of serving is one to 4 hours. This gives the pasta the opportunity to soak up all the delicious dill ranch dressing.
While this recipe is fabulous on its own I am always looking to make recipes unique and delicious. I think additions of pitted kalamata olives, corn kernels or pepperoni slices would be delicious. Start with ¼ cup of your favorites and see how you like it!
More Pasta Dish Recipes
- Ham and Pineapple Pasta Salad - the perfect ham and pineapple pasta salad recipe for using up leftover ham. Served it cold on a hot day for an easy side dish that everyone will love.
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad -balance of brine, crunch, salt and creaminess this pasta salad is made with a simple homemade dill ranch dressing that is also perfect as a dip for fresh vegetables.
- Ricotta Gnocchi - delicate, pillowy dumplings of ricotta cheese, four, egg york and salt, similar to their cousin gnocchi but made with ricotta cheese instead of cooked potato.
- Pumpkin Ravioli - Easy to make with help from Wonton wrappers in place home homemade pasta sheets.
Recipe
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe
There is more to a recipe than just the recipe card. Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces gemelli pasta
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon sliced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 8 ounces colby-jack cheese diced in ¼-inch cubes
- ½ cup kosher dill pickles chopped
Dill Pickle Ranch Dressing
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup fresh dill chopped
- ¼ cup pickle juice from jar of kosher dill pickles
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Kosher salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crispy.Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.1 pound thick-cut bacon
- While the bacon is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil.
- Add pasta and cook according to package until al dente.16 ounces gemelli pasta
- Rinse under cold water and drain excess water.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, dill, pickle juice, milk, garlic powder and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper.1 cup Mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup fresh dill, ¼ cup pickle juice from jar of kosher dill pickles, ¼ cup milk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, Kosher salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Or for a greener color to the dressing, blend in a blendtec blender for 30 seconds.
- In a large pasta bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, cooked bacon, tomatoes, cheese and pickles. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until combined.16 ounces gemelli pasta, 1 pound thick-cut bacon, 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 8 ounces colby-jack cheese, ½ cup kosher dill pickles
- Chill for at least one hour before serving for best flavor results.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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👩🏻🍳 Sarah Mock
CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger
Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 13 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
Sarah
I am taking it to a picnic this weekend. I couldn't agree more.
Sarah
I am so glad you liked it! This recipe is a favorite every time I serve it!
wilhelmina
This is so good! I will be making this one over and over!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Lovely! This would be perfect for a weekend gathering!