Vegetarian Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a simple side recipe idea made with cooked pasta, dill pickles, and cheese chunks surrounded in a creamy dressing flavored with pickle juice.
This wonderfully creamy salad has a balance of savory and sour flavors thanks to the flavorful pickles and juice that is added to it.
What you will read about in this recipe.
What is Pickle Pasta Salad?
Pickle pasta salad is a creamy mayonnaise based salad that combines cooked pasta and dill pickles, along with a few other ingredients, to make a delicious side alternative to about any dish.
I like the unique flavor that the pickles and their juice give to this recipe.
Have you tried my recipe for Vegan Mayonnaise?
That vegan mayonnaise is a simple recipe that can be used about anything that you would use regular mayonnaise for. You can make this recipe for pasta salad vegan by using that vegan mayonnaise along with vegan cheese.
Make this recipe gluten free by using gluten free pasta or low carb by using low carb pasta. You can find gluten free pasta here or low carb pasta here .
Why we love this easy pasta salad recipe.
Dill pickles add to both the flavor and the texture in this recipe. Pickles add that tangy flavor and a bit of crunch making this recipe so good!
Here is what else we like about this recipe.
- Adding cubed cheese gives this recipe flavor, a pop of color, and a chewy element.
- Once you have cooked your pasta, this salad takes about five minutes to make.
- Customizing this recipe is as easy as changing up the seasonings, adding a protein, or adding a drop or two of hot sauce.
- Pasta salad is a nice alternative to the usual potato salad or coleslaw.
- This salad is perfect for summer cookouts, fall tailgates, or at a holiday gathering.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day.
Ingredients needed to make pasta salad with pickles.
- Pasta. Use a bite-sized pasta, such as rotini, that has been cooked and drained.
- Mayonnaise Full fat, low fat (Mediterranean diet), or vegan mayonnaise should work in this recipe.
- Sour Cream. Regular sour cream or an alternative such as vegan sour cream or plain Greek Yogurt (Mediterranean diet).
- Seasonings. Onion powder, garlic salt, parsley, cayenne pepper, or a seasoning blend, or everything seasoning.
- Cheese. Use cheddar, Colby-jack, or the cheese of your choice. The cheese should be cut into small cubes.
- Dill Pickles. Drained and sliced to about a quarter inch wide slices.
- Red Onion. Diced small.
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Tips for making the best pasta salad.
When cooking your pasta, cook it 'al dente' according to the packaging. This will help keep the structure of the pasta firm when combined with the other ingredients.
More helpful tips for you.
- When selecting pickles to use in this recipe, it is best to use fresh and crisp pickles as they will be a crunchy element in this salad..
- Feel free to add healthy ingredients such as chopped celery, cooked corn kernels, or sliced bell peppers for color and flavor.
- While this recipe can be served right away, it is a good idea to refrigerate it for a couple of hours to allow the ingredients and their flavors to meld together.
- Make this recipe into a meal by adding a protein such as Tofu Bites, cooked shrimp, or sliced chicken.
- Add an interesting flavor to this salad by using sweet, hot, or spicy pickles with or instead of the usual dill pickle.
- Lastly, you can make your pasta salad more interesting by using a colorful pasta (think holidays or birthdays!).
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How to make Vegetarian Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Prep Time 15 minutes. .
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes (or as directed on pasta packaging).
Add Chill time if desired.
Servings: 8 .
- Start by cooking the pasta according to the packaging. I like al dente for this recipe which means cooking the pasta and then immediately running it under cold water to stop the cooking.
- Place the drained pasta in a large mixing bowl and then toss it with three tablespoons of the pickle juice. Let this rest while you prepare the dressing.
- To prepare the dressing, combine together the mayonnaise, sour cream, remaining pickle juice, and seasonings.
- Drain the pasta of the pickle juice that it was sitting in. Then return the pasta to the large bowl.
- Add the cheese, pickle slices, and diced onions to the bowl with the pasta and toss the ingredients.
- Pour about half of the dressing over the pasta mixture, toss, and repeat with the remaining dressing.
- Serve or cover the salad and refrigerated it until you are ready to serve.
Expert Tip👉 Leftovers can be used in other recipes such as topping on a Greek Salad , added to tacos, or combined with potato or another salad.
How to store homemade pasta salad,
This salad should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. When properly stored, this salad should keep for up to five days.
You may also be interested in these ideas.
- Mediterranean Diet Chicken Meatballs
- Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
- Mediterranean Diet Cilantro Lime Chicken Breasts
- Vegetarian Guacamole Quesadilla
- 10 Minute Instant Pot Gumbo (Vegetarian)
- Simple Vegetarian Mushroom Ramen Bowl (video)
Print the recipe for Vegetarian Dill Pickle Pasta Salad.
Vegetarian Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz Pasta -cooked al dente.
- ¼ cup Pickle Juice - divided
- ½ cup Mayonnaise - see post for vegan and Mediterranean diet options.
- ½ cup Sour Cream - see post for vegan and Mediterranean diet options.
- 2½ tsp Seasonings - see post for details.
- 1½ cups Cheddar Cheese - or colby, vegan, low fat. Cubed.
- 1 cup Dill Pickles - sliced thin.
- ¼ cup Red Onion - diced small.
Instructions
- Start by cooking the pasta according to the packaging. I like al dente for this recipe which means cooking the pasta and then immediately running it under cold water to stop the cooking.
- Place the drained pasta in a large mixing bowl and then toss it with three tablespoons of the pickle juice. Let this rest while you prepare the dressing.
- To prepare the dressing, combine together the mayonnaise, sour cream, remaining pickle juice, and seasonings.
- Drain the pasta of the pickle juice that it was sitting in. Then return the pasta to the large bowl.
- Add the cheese, pickle slices, and diced onions to the bowl with the bowl with the pasta and toss the ingredients.
- Pour about half of the dressing over the pasta mixture, toss, and repeat with the remaining dressing.
- Serve or cover the salad and refrigerated it until you are ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
Also, please see the actual recipe post for further details on this recipe. To make this recipe fully vegan, please make sure that you are using fully vegan ingredients.
See Foodwineandlove.com for details on this recipe.
originally posted:
July 1, 2024*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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Vegetarian Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, a simple and delicious creamy side or meal recipe made with rotini pasta and cheese. Vegan option.
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.