Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Tender shell pasta pairs with crunchy dill pickles, cheddar cheese, and fresh dill in a creamy pickle-brine dressing. A quick five-minute brine soak infuses tangy flavor throughout this cookout side.
Ingredients
- ½ pound medium shells (about 3 cups)
- ¾ cup sliced pickles
- ⅔ cup diced cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons minced white onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- ½ cup dill pickle juice
Dressing
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 tablespoons dill pickle juice
- salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the shells using the package’s al dente directions, then transfer them to a colander and rinse with cold water until cool. The shells should feel tender at the edges with a firm bite in the center.
- Coat the cooled shells with about ½ cup dill pickle juice, let them soak for about 5 minutes, then drain away and discard the soaking liquid. The pasta should taste lightly briny, with no puddle of juice remaining beneath it.
- Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, cayenne, 4 tablespoons dill pickle juice, and salt and black pepper to taste in a small bowl. The finished dressing should look evenly blended and creamy, without pale streaks or separate liquid.
- Fold the drained shells, pickle slices, cheddar, onion, fresh dill, and dressing together in a large bowl, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Each shell should have a glossy coating, with pickle slices and cheese distributed throughout.
Notes
Draining tip: Drain the pasta thoroughly after rinsing and after the brine soak, and blot pickle slices gently with a clean towel to keep extra moisture from thinning the creamy dressing.
Pickle choice: Select crisp, refrigerated deli dill pickles or crunchy baby dills for the best texture. Sour dill pickles provide the intended savory tang rather than sweet varieties.
Refreshing leftovers: Stir the chilled salad gently before serving to redistribute dressing. If the pasta absorbs moisture over time, fold in a small spoonful of sour cream or mayonnaise to restore the glossy coating.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.
Nutrition
Calories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 6gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 636mgPotassium: 145mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 1mg
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