Big Dill Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Dill Pickle Lover’s Pasta Salad
This creamy pasta salad combines tender macaroni, crunchy dill pickles, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, celery, red onion, and fresh dill, all tossed in a rich dill pickle dressing. The result is a pasta salad packed with flavor in every bite. Even better, it tastes even more delicious after a few hours in the refrigerator, making it perfect for cookouts, picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings.
If there was one thing you could always find in our refrigerator growing up, it was a jar of dill pickles. Whether we were piling them onto sandwiches, grabbing one for a quick snack, or sneaking a sip of pickle juice straight from the jar, pickles were always a favorite in our house.
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Recently, it seems like dill pickles are everywhere. From pickle dips and pickle fries to pickle wraps and even pickle pizzas, people can’t get enough of that tangy flavor. So naturally, I started wondering what would happen if I combined some of my favorite picnic foods into one bowl.
That’s how this Big Dill Pasta Salad came to life.
If you’re a dill pickle fan, you’re going to love this recipe.
Table of contents
- Big Dill Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Dill Pickle Lover’s Pasta Salad
- Why You’ll Love This Big Dill Pasta Salad
- Ingredients You’ll Need For This Pasta Salad
- How To Make Big Dill Pasta Salad
- Tips For The Best Big Dill Pasta Salad
- Variations
- What To Serve With Big Dill Pasta Salad
- Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
- Reader Favorites
Why You’ll Love This Big Dill Pasta Salad
- Loaded with dill pickle flavor
- Perfect make-ahead side dish
- Great for picnics and cookouts
- Easy to prepare
- Packed with texture and crunch
- Creamy, tangy, and satisfying
- Always a conversation starter at parties
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Ingredients You’ll Need For This Pasta Salad
For the Pasta Salad
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 cup dill pickles, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup celery, diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
For the Dill Pickle Dressing
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅔ cup dill pickle juice
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
How To Make Big Dill Pasta Salad
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook 1 pound of elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow the pasta to cool completely.
Prepare the Salad Ingredients
While the pasta cools, chop the hard-boiled eggs, dill pickles, celery, and red onion.
Cook the bacon until crisp, then crumble it into bite-sized pieces.
Finely chop the fresh dill.
Make the Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅔ cup dill pickle juice
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Whisk until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Pasta Salad
Add the cooled pasta, chopped eggs, dill pickles, celery, red onion, bacon, and fresh dill to the bowl with the dressing.
Gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
Chill Before Serving
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
For the best flavor, refrigerate overnight. The pickle juice dressing soaks into the pasta and creates even more flavor.
Tips For The Best Big Dill Pasta Salad
Don’t Skip the Chill Time
The flavor improves dramatically after the salad has time to chill.
Use Good Quality Pickles
A crisp refrigerated dill pickle adds the best texture and flavor.
Save Extra Pickle Juice
If the pasta absorbs some of the dressing overnight, stir in a splash of pickle juice before serving.
Cook the Bacon Until Crispy
The crunchy bacon provides a delicious contrast to the creamy dressing.
Variations
Add Cheese
Mix in 1 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese for extra richness.
Make It Spicy
Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Add More Crunch
Stir in diced cucumber or bell peppers right before serving.
Lighten It Up
Substitute plain Greek yogurt for part of the mayonnaise.
What To Serve With Big Dill Pasta Salad
This pasta salad pairs perfectly with:
- Grilled burgers
- Hot dogs
- Smoked chicken
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Grilled steaks
- Barbecue ribs
- Picnic lunches
It’s also hearty enough to enjoy as a light lunch all by itself.
Storage
Store leftover Big Dill Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Because this recipe contains mayonnaise, eggs, and sour cream, keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.
Freezing is not recommended.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this Big Dill Pasta Salad, be sure to check out a couple of my other favorite pasta salad recipes. Deviled Egg Pasta Salad combines everything you love about classic deviled eggs with a creamy, flavorful pasta salad that’s always a hit at picnics and potlucks. Additionally, my Old-Fashioned Macaroni Salad is a family recipe that’s been enjoyed for generations. It’s rich, creamy, and perfect for cookouts, holiday gatherings, and backyard barbecues. Both recipes are easy to make ahead and pair perfectly with burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, and all your summer favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Big Dill Pasta Salad ahead of time?
Yes. In fact, this pasta salad tastes even better when made the day before serving.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Absolutely. Rotini, shells, bow ties, and cavatappi all work well in this recipe.
What kind of pickles work best?
Traditional dill pickles provide the classic flavor. Refrigerated deli-style pickles often have the best crunch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a unique pasta salad that stands out from the usual macaroni salad, this Big Dill Pasta Salad delivers big flavor in every bite. Between the creamy pickle dressing, crispy bacon, crunchy vegetables, and plenty of dill pickle goodness, it’s a side dish that’s guaranteed to disappear fast.
Whether you’re heading to a backyard barbecue, planning a summer picnic, or looking for something new to bring to a potluck, this recipe is a fun twist on a classic favorite.
And if your family loves pickles as much as mine does, don’t be surprised when they ask for seconds.
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Reader Favorites
Big Dill Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 1 pound pasta elbow macaroni or your choice of pasta
- 6 large eggs hard-boiled ,chopped
- 1 cup dill pickles diced
- ½ cup red onion finely diced
- ½ cup celery diced
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
Dill Pickle Dressing
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅔ cup dill pickle juice
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water until completely cooled. Drain well.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooled pasta, chopped hard-boiled eggs, diced dill pickles, red onion, celery, crumbled bacon, and fresh dill to the bowl with the dressing.
- Gently stir until all of the pasta and ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Stir before serving. If desired, garnish with extra chopped dill pickles, bacon, fresh dill, or a sprinkle of black pepper.