Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is tangy, creamy, and crunchy and the ultimate summertime side dish. A pickle lover’s dream pasta salad, it’s it’s quick and easy to make with simple ingredients.

Love dill? Be sure to check out my recipe for Dill Dip.

Large white bowl filled with creamy dill pickle pasta salad garnished with sliced dill pickles and fresh dill.

Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe

Who else loves pickles? Everyone?!

While dill pickles often play a supporting role in recipes like creamy potato salad and tartar sauce, today they are very much stealing the show as the key ingredient in this briney, tangy, delicious dill pickle pasta salad!

The great thing about most pasta salads is that you can easily make them a day or two in advance to enjoy as a convenient side to your main meals or share at upcoming potlucks. This dill pickle pasta salad is no different.

The combination of creamy dill pickle dressing with tender pasta, crunchy dill pickles, and shredded cheese will have you begging for seconds in no time at all!

All of the ingredients for the dill pickle pasta salad recipe presented in individual measuring cups and ramekins.

Key Ingredients

Find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Cavatappi pasta: I chose to make this pasta salad with Cavatappi pasta, but any other short tubular pasta will work.
Sour cream: Adds to the creamy texture and tangy flavor of the pasta dressing. Greek yogurt could be used instead as a healthier alternative.
Mayonnaise: Use store-bought or homemade mayonnaise.
Pickle juice: Pickle juice (from the jar of dill pickles) adds a punchy kick and tangy flavor to the creamy pasta dressing.
Freshly minced dill: This adds a wonderful freshness to the salad. Dried dill can be used instead, but fresh dill will always add the best flavor. If you don’t like dill, you can use dried or fresh parsley instead.
Aromatics: I’ve added garlic powder and onion powder to this pasta salad for extra depth of flavor.
Diced dill pickles: For added crunch and flavor! You could also use dill pickle relish like I’ve done in my ham salad recipe.
Cheddar cheese: Always use freshly shredded cheese for the best flavor.

White mixing bowl filled with mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh dill, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Pickle juice added to a large white mixing bowl filled with creamy mayonnaise and sour cream based dressing.

White mixing bowl filled with smooth and creamy dill pickle dressing.

How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta with cool water, then set it aside.

2. Make the creamy dressing: Meanwhile, stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, pickle juice, fresh dill, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl.

3. Assemble: Stir in the cooled pasta, dill pickles, and shredded cheese. Continue to stir well until everything is coated in the creamy dill pickle dressing.

4. Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh dill and pickle slices, if desired.

Can I Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Ahead?

Yes. You can make dill pickle pasta salad a day in advance. For best results, reserve ¼ cup of the dressing (or make extra) for when you plan to serve it, as it’s not uncommon for the pasta to soak up the dressing. Garnish just before serving.

Large white mixing bowl filled with cooked Cavatappi pasta, chopped dill pickles, and shredded cheddar cheese.

White mixing bowl filled with mixed together creamy dill pickle pasta salad.

Serving Ideas

I love to serve this pasta salad as a side dish with juicy hamburgers, grilled chicken, grilled veggie skewers, fruit salad, and corn on the cob.

Sometimes I’ll mix in some leftover chicken or cooked bacon to enjoy as a complete meal or quick lunch.

Storage and Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You may need to mix in additional creamy dill pickle dressing if the salad has become dry.

Freezing is not recommended.