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Pioneer Woman Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Pioneer Woman Dill Pickle Pasta Salad - recipe card
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This creamy, tangy pasta salad bursts with dill pickle flavor, crunchy pickles, and fresh herbs. It’s a refreshing, crowd-pleasing side dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (about 2 1/2 cups) elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
  • 1/4 cup dill pickle juice (from the jar)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup dill pickles, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 7-9 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. Shake well to remove excess water, then set aside to cool completely. This ensures the pasta doesn’t turn mushy in the salad.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if needed—it should be tangy and well-seasoned.
  4. Add the cooled pasta, diced pickles, red onion, celery, fresh dill, and chives to the bowl with the dressing. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything gently until the pasta is evenly coated and the ingredients are well distributed.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb some of the dressing, resulting in a more cohesive and flavorful salad.
  6. Before serving, give the salad a good stir and taste again. If it seems too dry, add a splash of pickle juice or a dollop of mayonnaise to refresh the creaminess. Garnish with extra fresh dill if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta salad may absorb dressing as it sits; stir in a little extra pickle juice or mayonnaise before serving to revive the creamy texture. This salad is not recommended for freezing as the creamy dressing will separate and the vegetables will become watery upon thawing.

Nutrition

Keywords: dill pickle pasta salad, pickle pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, dill pickle recipe, summer pasta salad, picnic side dish, potluck salad, easy pasta salad, no-bake salad, pioneer woman recipe

Find it online: https://inspiredbypioneerwoman.com/pioneer-woman-dill-pickle-pasta-salad/