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Zesty Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe


  • Author: Imili Johnson
  • Total Time: 40 minutes (including chilling)

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 1 cup dill pickles (sliced)
  • 1/2 cup pickle juice (from the jar)
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: Extra dill for garnish

Instructions

Preparation

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

  • Begin by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically around 8-10 minutes.
  • Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set it aside in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Infuse the Pasta with Pickle Flavor

  • Pour 1/2 cup of pickle juice over the drained pasta, ensuring that it’s evenly coated. Let the pasta sit in the pickle juice for 5-10 minutes to soak in the tangy flavor.
  • Afterward, drain any excess pickle juice from the pasta to prevent it from becoming too soggy.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

  • In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and Dijon mustard. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and freshly chopped dill to the dressing mixture. Season with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 4: Combine the Ingredients

  • Add the sliced dill pickles to the pasta in the large mixing bowl.
  • Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the pasta and pickles. Gently stir until all ingredients are evenly coated, ensuring that the dressing covers each piece of pasta.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

  • Place the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  • Before serving, garnish with extra fresh dill for a touch of color and added flavor.

Notes

COOKING Note

  • Pasta Texture: Rinsing the pasta with cold water after cooking stops the cooking process and keeps it firm, preventing it from getting mushy in the salad.
  • Absorbing Flavor: Letting the pasta sit in pickle juice gives it that tangy, signature pickle flavor that really brings this salad to life.
  • Dressing Consistency: If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a tablespoon of pickle juice to the dressing mix until you reach the desired consistency.
  • Prep Time: 10

Nutrition

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 6g