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Dill Pickle Bacon Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Potluck Side Dish

A close-up of creamy dill pickle bacon pasta salad made with fusilli pasta, bacon bits, and fresh dill.
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You will love this creamy, tangy Dill Pickle Bacon Pasta Salad. It combines smoky bacon, crunchy pickles, and a rich dressing for a perfect summer side dish or BBQ offering.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound rotini or medium shell pasta
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup dill pickle chips, chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup pickle juice (from the dill pickle jar)
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. While the pasta cools, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels and crumble it.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, yellow mustard, sugar, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth. This makes your pickle juice dressing recipe base.
  4. Add the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, chopped dill pickles, red onion, celery, and fresh dill to the dressing mixture. If using, add the shredded cheddar cheese now.
  5. Gently fold all ingredients together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld. This makes it a great make ahead pasta salad.
  7. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. You may want a splash more pickle juice for extra tang. Serve cold as a BBQ side dish pasta salad.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use good quality dill pickles. The pickle juice is key to the tangy flavor profile.
  • If you prefer a lighter dressing, substitute half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
  • This savory pasta salad recipe holds up well for several days in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep or potlucks.
  • You can use any short pasta shape you like; penne or fusilli work well too.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/dill-pickle-bacon-pasta-salad-recipe/