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Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with Cheddar Cubes

creamy dill pickle pasta salad - featured image
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A tangy and creamy pasta salad featuring dill pickles and sharp cheddar cubes, perfect for summer BBQs and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni or small shells
  • 1 cup finely chopped dill pickles (about 4 medium pickles)
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese cubes (medium or sharp)
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons pickle juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Shake off excess water thoroughly.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons pickle juice, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill (or 1 teaspoon dried). Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Finely chop 1 cup of dill pickles and cube 1 cup of cheddar cheese into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Add the cooled pasta, chopped pickles, and cheddar cubes to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold with a spatula to coat everything evenly, avoiding overmixing.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld.
  7. Before serving, gently stir the salad and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and cool it quickly. Use crunchy kosher dill pickles for best flavor. Fold gently to keep cheddar cubes intact. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. If salad is too thick, thin with extra pickle juice or buttermilk. Avoid prepping more than a day ahead to keep cheese fresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, dill pickle, cheddar cubes, creamy dressing, summer BBQ, easy recipe, picnic salad

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/creamy-dill-pickle-pasta-salad-with-cheddar-cubes-easy-recipe-for-summer-bbqs/