Description
This creamy dill pickle pasta salad combines tangy pickles, fresh dill, and a luscious mayonnaise-based dressing with tender fusilli noodles and cubed Havarti cheese. It’s a perfect make-ahead side dish that is refreshing, flavorful, and easy to prepare, ideal for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a quick snack.
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)
- 3 tablespoons Sweet Pickle Relish
- 2 tablespoons Pickle Juice (or more, to taste)
Additional Ingredients
- 2 cups Dill Pickles (chopped)
- 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 and cook the fusilli noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely, then set aside.
- Prepare 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 mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Pasta and Pickles: Add the cooled fusilli and chopped dill pickles to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold the ingredients together to ensure the noodles are evenly coated without mashing the pickles.
- Add Pickle Juice: Pour in the pickle juice starting with 2 tablespoons to loosen the dressing and enhance the flavor. Add more pickle juice if desired to achieve your preferred creaminess and tanginess.
- Incorporate Cheese: Stir in the cubed Havarti cheese, distributing it evenly throughout the salad. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate it until ready to serve for the best flavor development, or enjoy immediately as a quick and creamy snack.
Notes
- For best results, chill the pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- You can substitute Havarti cheese with other mild, creamy cheeses like Monterey Jack or mozzarella if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of pickle juice based on your taste preference for tanginess and dressing consistency.
- This salad can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated in an airtight container.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
