This Dill Pickle Bacon Pasta Salad That Will Wow Your Taste Buds comes together in about 30 minutes and uses no-cook ingredients for a quick and easy side dish that your family will love! It’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or just as a weeknight dinner side.
Ingredients You’ll Need
1 cup Mayonnaise: Adds a creamy element to the salad.
1/2 cup Sour Cream: Offers a tangy flavor that balances the richness.
1/4 cup Pickle Brine: This ingredient is key to infusing the dressing with that tangy zing.
1 tablespoon Yellow Mustard: Enhances flavor and adds just a bit of kick.
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt: Elevates the taste to perfection.
1 teaspoon Sugar: Just a pinch to balance out the sourness of the pickles.
8 slices Bacon: The smoky, crispy texture really brings the dish together.
8 ounces Short Pasta: Acts as the hearty base of the salad. You can use shells, rotini, or even elbow macaroni.
1 cup Pickles: Adds that refreshing crunch. Use your favorites, dill or sweet, it’s your call!
1 cup Mini Cucumbers: Gives a nice, fresh bite alongside the pickles.
1 cup Mild Cheese: Offers a creamy texture; I prefer cheddar or colby jack.
1/2 cup Red Onions: Brings color and a little zing, but you can leave them out if you’re not a fan.
1/4 cup Fresh Dill: This brightens up the salad and gives it a garden-fresh flavor!
To taste Salt and Pepper: For adjusting seasoning.
You might be thinking, “Wow, that’s a lot of ingredients.” But I promise, once you get started, it’s super straightforward!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
First, boil a large pot of salted water over high heat. When it’s bubbling, add the 8 ounces of short pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. You want it firm, but not crunchy!
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
While that’s happening, grab a large skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the 8 slices of bacon, cooking them until they’re crispy and golden, about 6-8 minutes should do it. The smell of sizzling bacon? Oh man, you’ll want to pause just to appreciate that. Once they’re done, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Step 3: Prepare the Dressing
In a large bowl (this will be the mixing bowl for your pasta salad later), whisk together 1 cup of mayonnaise, ½ cup of sour cream, ¼ cup of pickle brine, 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Taste as you go, a couple pinches of salt and pepper will make a world of difference! The secret to a delicious dressing is balance, and this one is creamy with just the right amount of tang.
Step 4: Mix the Salad
Once your pasta is cooked, drain it and rinse it in cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and toss it in the bowl with your dressing.
Now, chop your crispy bacon up into bite-sized pieces and add it to the pasta. Next comes the fun part: add in the pickles, mini cucumbers, cheese, red onions, and fresh dill. Toss everything together until well combined, this is where it gets colorful!
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Put your pasta salad in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes to chill out. This helps all those flavors meld together. When you’re about to serve, stir it again and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. You can even sprinkle a bit more dill on top for that gorgeous presentation!
If you loved this Dill Pickle Bacon Pasta Salad, be sure to check out my Cucumber Salad, my Macaroni Salad, and my Steakhouse Potato Salad! They’re all fantastic sides that are perfect for any occasion.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes! It’s the magic of a recipe that uses simple ingredients without a hassle.
Crowd-Pleaser
I guarantee the whole family will love it. My kids actually ask for seconds, and let me tell you, that’s practically a miracle!
Customizable
You can use whatever ingredients you have on hand! Want to throw in some cherry tomatoes? Go for it! Have an extra bell pepper sitting in the fridge? Toss it in there!
Comfort Food
This salad is loaded with tons of flavor. The combination of creamy dressing, crunchy pickles, and smoky bacon is pure bliss.
Make-Ahead Friendly
This pasta salad is perfect for meal prep! You can make it a day ahead, and it’s even better the next day when the flavors have had time to mingle!
Storing Your Pasta Salad
Serving Suggestions
This Dill Pickle Bacon Pasta Salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, burgers, or even as a side for a picnic spread. If you want a complete meal, toss in some shredded rotisserie chicken and call it dinner!
How Long It Keeps
In a well-sealed container, it will last in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days. Personally, I usually devour it way before then!
Reheating Instructions
There’s no need to reheat this one; it’s best served chilled. If it seems a bit dry after sitting in the fridge, simply add a splash of pickle brine or a bit more mayo before serving.
Freezer-Friendly?
Unfortunately, I don’t recommend freezing this pasta salad. The texture of the pasta and veggies won’t hold up after defrosting, and nobody wants a mushy salad!
I know you’re going to enjoy this Dill Pickle Bacon Pasta Salad as much as I do. It’s refreshing, flavorful, and so incredibly easy to make.
Happy cooking, friends! And remember, food is all about bringing people together. You can whip it up while catching up on your favorite shows or even create an impromptu kitchen dance party! Just make sure to save some leftovers…if there are any left! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Dill Pickle Bacon Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
A zesty Dill Pickle Bacon Pasta Salad that comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for potlucks or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1/4 cup Pickle Brine
- 1 tablespoon Yellow Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 8 slices Bacon
- 8 ounces Short Pasta
- 1 cup Pickles
- 1 cup Mini Cucumbers
- 1 cup Mild Cheese
- 1/2 cup Red Onions
- 1/4 cup Fresh Dill
- To taste Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients by boiling a pot of salted water, adding short pasta, and cooking until al dente.
- Cook the Bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then drain.
- Prepare the Dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle brine, mustard, salt, and sugar in a bowl.
- Mix the Salad by combining cooked pasta, bacon, pickles, cucumbers, cheese, onions, and dill in the dressing.
- Chill and Serve by refrigerating the pasta salad for 20-30 minutes before adjusting seasoning and serving.
Notes
Feel free to switch up the ingredients for a personalized touch!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg