Dill Pickle Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

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.

How do you get the beautiful green color in the ranch dressing?

I took one extra step and used my Blendtec blender to blend together the ranch dressing ingredients. The power of the blender took the fresh dill and made the dressing a lovely green color. You are welcome to whisk or stir the dressing together but to get the green hue throughout, blend for 30 seconds. If you would like a Blendtec blender at 25% off, use code: STG25 at Blendtech.com when you check out. Restrictions apply. 

What else an I add to dill pickle salad to make it extra delicious?

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 1/4 cup of your favorites and see how you like it!

What ingredients are in dill pickle pasta salad?

• gemelli pasta
• thick-cut bacon
• cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• Colby Jack cheese, diced in 1/4-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:

1. 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. 
2. While the bacon is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil.
3. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
4. Rinse under cold water and drain excess water.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, dill, pickle juice, milk, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Or for a greener color to the dressing, blend in a Blendtec blender for 30 seconds.
7. 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.
8. Chill for at least one hour before serving for the best flavor results. 

this is a variation of a recipe found at HuffPost. 

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Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe

Sarah Mock

A wonderful balance of brine, crunch, salt and creaminess this pasta salad is make with a simple homemade dill ranch dressing that is also perfect as a dip for fresh vegetables. 

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 9 mins

Additional Time 1 hr

Total Time 1 hr 24 mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark, toggle to button to the right to turn GREEN

Course Side Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 513 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 16 ounces gemelli pasta
• 1 pound thick-cut bacon sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced in half
• 8 ounces colby-jack cheese diced in 1/4-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup kosher dill pickles chopped

Dill Pickle Ranch Dressing

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup fresh dill chopped
• 1/4 cup pickle juice from jar of kosher dill pickles
• 1/4 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. 
  
• 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.
• 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 best flavor results. 
  

Notes

I think additions of pitted kalamata olives, corn kernels or pepperoni slices would be delicious. Start with 1/4 cup of your favorites and see how you like it!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 513kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 31gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 1504mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Sarah Mock

CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 12 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.