Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad
A creamy, tangy Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad featuring tender pasta, sharp cheddar cheese, crisp dill pickles, and a zesty dill dressing. Ideal for potlucks, picnics, and make-ahead meals, this crowd-pleasing salad delivers bold flavor in every bite.
10 Servings
Ingredients
For the Salad Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup dill pickle brine from the pickle jar
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill plus additional for garnish
For the Pasta Salad:
- 1 pound cellentani pasta or other short pasta such as rotini or elbow macaroni
- 2 cups finely diced baby dill pickles plus additional for garnish
- 1½ cups cubed sharp cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente, typically 8 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and briefly rinse it under cold water to halt the cooking process. Drain thoroughly and transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
Prepare the Dressing:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle brine, onion powder, and freshly chopped dill. Whisk the ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and fully combined.
Assemble the Salad:
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl containing the dressing. Add the finely diced baby dill pickles and the cubed sharp cheddar cheese. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the mixture until all ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
Season and Garnish:
- Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Garnish the completed salad with additional freshly chopped dill and extra diced pickles for presentation, if preferred.
Notes
To prepare this Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad as gluten-free, substitute the cellentani pasta with your preferred gluten-free pasta variety. Ensure the dill pickles and all other ingredients (including mayonnaise and sour cream) are certified gluten-free. Cook the gluten-free pasta according to the package directions, as cooking times and textures may vary.