Description
This creamy dill pickle pasta salad is a delightful twist on traditional pasta salads, featuring fusilli noodles tossed in a tangy and flavorful dressing made from mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, and pickle juice. Chopped dill pickles and cubed Havarti cheese add bursts of texture and flavor, making it a perfect side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks, or simply as a refreshing snack. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy no-cook salad after initial pasta boiling is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb Fusilli Noodles
Dressing
- 1 cup Mayonnaise (Duke’s preferred)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 large Garlic Clove (grated)
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Fresh Dill (roughly chopped)
- 1 teaspoon White Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt (plus more to taste)
- Black Pepper (fresh cracked, to taste)
Additional Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Sweet Pickle Relish
- 2 cups Dill Pickles (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons Pickle Juice (or more, to taste)
- 8 oz Havarti Cheese (cut into cubes, Roth or similar quality)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli noodles and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles, rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside to cool completely.
- Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, apple cider vinegar, chopped fresh dill, white sugar, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Add Pasta and Pickles: Add the cooled fusilli pasta and chopped dill pickles into the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together to ensure the noodles are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Adjust Consistency: Pour in about 2 tablespoons of pickle juice to loosen the dressing and enhance the tangy flavor. Add more pickle juice if desired to achieve your preferred creaminess or flavor intensity.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the cubed Havarti cheese carefully to mix it throughout the salad. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or black pepper as needed.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it until ready to serve. Alternatively, you can enjoy it immediately as a quick and tasty snack.
Notes
- For best flavor, let the salad chill for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- You can substitute Havarti cheese with other mild cheeses like Monterey Jack or mozzarella.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute some or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Adjust the amount of pickle juice to your taste preference for tanginess and creaminess.
- Add chopped red onion or celery for extra crunch if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
