Spicy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

JUMP TO RECIPE

One of my favourite snacks is dill pickles. I will often find myself standing in front of the fridge, crunching on pickles while I try and find my ‘real’ snack. I think I like dill pickle flavour so much because it fits with so many delicious snacks: Caesar's, popcorn, chips, French fries. But one of my all-time favourite summer side dishes that emphasizes dill pickles is this spicy dill pickle pasta salad.

Pasta salads are great for summer because you can make them ahead of time, pop them in the fridge, and serve them over a couple of meals or bring them to a BBQ potluck. They are so versatile and it seems everyone loves them (I mean it’s basically mayonnaise and noodles, what’s not to love?). This recipe is pickley in all the right ways (pickley is a word, right?), highlighting the flavour in three ways without becoming overwhelming.

GREAT WAYS TO MODIFY THIS PASTA SALAD:

• If you prefer sweet pickles or gerkins, throw in a handful or two of those to this salad, or swap them out entirely.

• If you don’t like heat so much, dial it back on the cayenne pepper or skip it entirely!

• Add a protein source, like chopped salami or chicken, to make it a one-pot meal.

INGREDIENTS

• ½ pound pasta shells (~3 cups)

• Chopped dill pickles, cut to your desired shape and size.

• Old, sharp cheddar cheese

• Minced white onion (it’s really good with red onion as well)

• Chopped fresh dill

• Pickle juice

• Mayonnaise

• Sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

• Cayenne pepper

• Salt and pepper

STEPS

1. Boil pasta according to box directions. When it is al dente, run it under cold water to stop it from cooking further. Coat with ½ cup pickle juice and set aside to cool completely.

2. Combine all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

3. Drain and discard the pickle juice from the pasta. Mix all ingredients and dressing together. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. The cayenne will really bloom the longer it sits, so be wary when seasoning!

I like to make this salad up the night before and bring it to work with me for a quick, light, and refreshing lunch. Adding some chopped seasoned chicken makes it a well-rounded lunch that helps keep me full until snack time (yes, I schedule snacks into my day).

Save this recipe for your next BBQ potluck or family dinner. It's sure to be a crowd pleaser!

---

JUMP TO RECIPE