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Flavorful Cold Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with Bacon and Cheddar

cold dill pickle pasta salad - featured image
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A tangy, smoky, and creamy cold pasta salad featuring dill pickles, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for easy summer meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup dill pickles, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup dill pickle juice
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions, about 7-8 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well.
  2. While the pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, bake bacon on a tray at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
  3. Finely dice 1 cup of dill pickles, ¼ cup of red onion (optional), and shred 1 ½ cups of sharp cheddar cheese. Chop 2 tablespoons fresh dill.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ cup dill pickle juice until smooth. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
  5. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, chopped pickles, bacon, cheddar, red onion, and dill. Pour the dressing over and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld beautifully.
  7. Give the salad a quick stir before serving and sprinkle extra fresh dill or a few pickle slices on top for garnish.

Notes

Rinsing and thoroughly draining the pasta after cooking is key to prevent sogginess. Bacon fat can be saved for other cooking uses. Dill pickle juice brightens the dressing; adjust amount to taste. Dressing can be made a day ahead for deeper flavor. Use freshly shredded cheddar for best texture. For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or use dairy-free alternatives. Gluten-free pasta can be used to make the recipe gluten-free. Turkey bacon is a good lower-fat substitute for bacon.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold pasta salad, dill pickle pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, cheddar pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, picnic salad, barbecue side dish

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/flavorful-cold-dill-pickle-pasta-salad-with-bacon-and-cheddar-recipe-for-easy-summer-meals/