Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Is Summer's Must-Have Side Dish

2024-04-19
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Is Summer's Must-Have Side Dish
Prep Time:
40 mins
Chill Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
12 Cups

Pasta salad is a favorite for everything from potlucks to summer barbecues. Here, we're putting a twist on the classic by adding plenty of dill pickles, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs. This dill pickle pasta salad recipe is great paired with burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and more. Here's how to make a batch at home.

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this summer side dish.

  • Pasta: We chose bow tie pasta for this pickle pasta salad, but you can use any short shape you like. The recipe is delicious with penne, macaroni, and corkscrew noodles.
  • Eggs: We're adding hard boiled eggs to this pasta salad. If you're short on time, grab a pack of purchased pre-hard-boiled eggs from the store.
  • Bacon: For the perfect balance of textures, ensure your bacon is cooked until crispy.
  • Dressing: This dill pickle pasta salad is tossed in a homemade dressing made with mayo, sour cream, garlic, salt, and pickle brine.
  • Pickles: Roughly chop dill pickles before adding them to the pasta salad.
  • Veggies: Round out the salad with fresh veggies including celery, tomatoes, and onion.
  • Herbs: Finish the dish with plenty of fresh dill to amp up the flavor of the pickles.

How to Make Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

This pasta salad recipe is very easy to make, here's what you'll need to do.

  1. Boil Pasta: Cook the pasta and eggs in the same pot. They'll both be ready to drain after 12 minutes. Peel and chop the eggs.
  2. Cook the Bacon: In a skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Once cool, crumble and set aside.
  3. Mix the Dressing: Combine the dressing ingredients in a bowl.
  4. Assemble: Add the pasta, eggs, bacon, veggies, pickles, and dill to the bowl with the dressing. Toss until combined. That's it!

How to Store Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Keep the pasta salad stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you store it any longer, the texture and flavor may change.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz bow tie pasta

  • 4 large eggs

  • 6 slices thick cut bacon, chopped

  • 1 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

  • 6 tbsp pickle brine

  • 1 1/2 cups dill pickles, chopped

  • 1 cup chopped celery

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced

  • 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped

Directions

  1. To a large pot of boiling water add pasta; stir. Carefully add eggs (in shell) to the boiling water with pasta; cook 12 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer eggs to an ice bath. Drain pasta. Rinse with cold water; drain and cool. Peel cooled eggs. If you like, slice or quarter one egg for garnish (chill until needed); coarsely chop remaining eggs.

  2. Meanwhile, in a 10-inch skillet cook bacon over medium-high until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

  3. In a large bowl whisk together next six ingredients (through brine). Add pasta, pickles, chopped eggs, bacon, and remaining ingredients; stir to coat. Cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 2 days. Garnish with reserved sliced egg (if using) and additional fresh dill. 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

253 Calories
20g Fat
12g Carbs
7g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 252.8
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19.7g 25%
Saturated Fat 4.4g 22%
Cholesterol 81.3mg 27%
Sodium 542.2mg 24%
Total Carbohydrate 12.2g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1.3g 4%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 6.7g 13%
Vitamin D 0.4mcg 2%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 46.9mg 4%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 194.3mg 4%
Fatty acids, total trans 0.1g
Vitamin D 16IU
Alanine 0.3g
Arginine 0.4g
Ash 2.1g
Aspartic acid 0.6g
Caffeine 0mg
Carotene, alpha 15.6mcg
Choline, total 67.6mg
Copper, Cu 0.1mg
Cystine 0.1g
Energy 1057.5kJ
Fluoride, F 9.5mcg
Folate, total 39.9mcg
Glutamic acid 1.4g
Glycine 0.3g
Histidine 0.2g
Isoleucine 0.3g
Leucine 0.5g
Lysine 0.4g
Methionine 0.2g
Magnesium, Mg 16.1mg
Manganese, Mn 0.2mg
Niacin 1.3mg
Phosphorus, P 98.1mg
Pantothenic acid 0.5mg
Phenylalanine 0.3g
Phytosterols 6.7mg
Proline 0.4g
Retinol 41.7mcg
Selenium, Se 16.7mcg
Serine 0.4g
Starch 7.4g
Theobromine 0mg
Threonine 0.3g
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 1mg
Tryptophan 0.1g
Tyrosine 0.2g
Valine 0.4g
Vitamin A, IU 373.8IU
Vitamin A, RAE 53.5mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.3mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.1mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 40mcg
Water 97g
Zinc, Zn 0.7mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Related Article

Crab Rangoon Roll-Ups Are So Much Better Than the Original

Crab Rangoon Roll-Ups Are So Much Better Than the Original

This crab rangoon roll-up recipe is the perfect balance of crispy tortilla shell and creamy crab filling. Serve them with your favorite sweet chili sauce.
Ricotta and Parmesan Spread

Ricotta and Parmesan Spread

Basil, oregano, and chives brighten up this rich Parmesan and ricotta cheese spread. Start your next dinner party with this easy, cheesy appetizer. Just add slices of baguette and veggies for dipping!
Pineapple-Ginger Punch

Pineapple-Ginger Punch

Pineapple-Ginger Punch might just be your new favorite summer drink. To transform the refreshing punch recipe into a cocktail, spike the fresh ginger-infused sip with rum or vodka.
Why You Should Be Eating More Pecans

Why You Should Be Eating More Pecans

Beyond their delicious taste, pecans are also packed to the brim with nutrition. Read on to find out just what makes pecans such a healthy addition to your lifestyle as well as some tasty ways to get started.
What Is Natural Flavor? Here’s What It Means on Food Labels

What Is Natural Flavor? Here’s What It Means on Food Labels

What does “natural flavors” mean when you see it on a food or drink label? A flavorist explains how your favorite strawberry drink gets that taste.
13 High-Protein Breakfast Ideas for a Morning Brain Boost

13 High-Protein Breakfast Ideas for a Morning Brain Boost

Looking for a protein-loaded breakfast? Here are our best energy packed breakfast ideas to give your morning a boost. Incorporate these recipes into your daily routine for a high protein breakfast.
How Long to Cook Steak on a Grill for Perfect Results Every Time

How Long to Cook Steak on a Grill for Perfect Results Every Time

Conquer your next cookout with tips on all you need to know about how long to cook steak on a grill, the best cuts to buy, and how to serve the steak.
How to Cook Eggplant—5 Simple Methods

How to Cook Eggplant—5 Simple Methods

If you're wondering how to cook eggplant, keep reading. On the grill, roasted, sautéed, and—yes—even in the microwave, this vegetable is as versatile as it is delicious.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes—6 Different Methods Including Baked, Fried, and More

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes—6 Different Methods Including Baked, Fried, and More

Mash them, bake them, pressure-cook them, or turn them into fries—whatever your method, follow these steps to make perfect sweet potatoes every time.
Easy Chicken and Broccoli Recipes You'll Be Making on Repeat

Easy Chicken and Broccoli Recipes You'll Be Making on Repeat

From all-American casseroles to Korean-style suppers to Italian chicken Parm, these chicken and broccoli recipes show how that combo *can* be something you eagerly anticipate. We’ve rounded up our best healthy chicken and broccoli recipes (as well as a few more decadent options) to help remix your weeknight menu.
16 Cauliflower Recipes to Make if You're Cooking Tonight

16 Cauliflower Recipes to Make if You're Cooking Tonight

This round-up of cauliflower recipes features the versatile veggie as the star of the plate. Each of these recipes with cauliflower provides a wide array of options everyone can enjoy, any night of the week.
Snap Peas, Snow Peas, and Farro with Oranges and Citrus-Sesame Vinaigrette

Snap Peas, Snow Peas, and Farro with Oranges and Citrus-Sesame Vinaigrette

The crunchy combo of snap and snow peas complements the chewy bite of farro and contrasts the juicy orange sections.
Chilaquiles Breakfast Casserole

Chilaquiles Breakfast Casserole

Try this make-ahead breakfast casserole to feed a crowd on a busy weekend. The zesty Mexican flavors will inspire everyone to come back for seconds.
Fire-Roasted Tomato and Italian Sausage Grinders

Fire-Roasted Tomato and Italian Sausage Grinders

Use canned fire-roasted tomatoes to rev up this classic Italian sausage sandwich recipe.
Gluten-Free Giant Ginger Cookies

Gluten-Free Giant Ginger Cookies

We've used a 1/4 cup of cookie dough for each of these giant, molasses-infused cookies. If you prefer smaller cookies, there's instructions for mini gluten-free ginger cookies, too.
Gluten-Free Fresh Herb Vinaigrette

Gluten-Free Fresh Herb Vinaigrette

In just 10 minutes, you can have a zesty homemade salad dressing ready. The olive oil will solidify when chilled, so let the vinaigrette stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving. Don't forget to shake it well!
Portobello Pot Roast

Portobello Pot Roast

Meaty portobellos stand in for beef in this vegetarian portobello pot roast that's as rich as the classic but cooks in a fraction of the time.
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
How to Smoke Food Even if You Don't Have an Actual Smoker

How to Smoke Food Even if You Don't Have an Actual Smoker

Add complex flavors to your meats, seafood, grains, and veggies with our Test Kitchen tutorials on how to smoke food at home using a charcoal or gas grill.
Grilled Trout Stuffed with Lemon and Herbs

Grilled Trout Stuffed with Lemon and Herbs

This is a simple, flavorful way to grill almost any whole fish, with a 'stuffing' designed not to be eaten, but to flavor the fish from the inside out.