Light Dill Pickle Rotini Pasta Salad is a cold side dish with whole wheat rotini and chopped dill pickles.
It also uses pickle juice, Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, celery, red onion, and cheddar cheese.
This salad is tangy and creamy, with a little crunch in every bite. The pickle juice brings that briny flavor right away.
Greek yogurt and mayo make the dressing smooth, but not heavy. Cheddar cheese adds a touch of richness, while celery and red onion keep things bright and crisp.
You can serve it with grilled chicken, burgers, sandwiches, or wraps. Honestly, it fits right in at a casual weeknight dinner.
It’s also great for cookouts, potlucks, meal prep lunches, or picnic plates. If you’re already a dill pickle fan, this is a clever way to use them in a pasta salad that feels fun but still practical.
You’ll want a large mixing bowl and a small mixing bowl for this recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Light Dill Pickle Rotini Pasta Salad
Cold and Make-Ahead Friendly
This pasta salad chills before serving, so it works well when you want to prep a side dish earlier in the day.
Tangy Pickle Flavor
Dill pickle juice, chopped pickles, and fresh dill give this salad a strong pickle flavor without needing a long ingredient list.
Creamy Without Being Heavy
Greek yogurt and light mayonnaise make the dressing creamy while keeping the texture fresh.
Good for Cookouts and Potlucks
This side dish works with grilled meats, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and other casual meals.
Has Crunch and Texture
Celery, red onion, pickles, cheddar, and rotini give the salad enough texture so it doesn’t feel plain.
Ingredient Substitutions
Whole Wheat Rotini
Regular rotini, bowtie pasta, penne, or small shells can be used instead. Choose a pasta shape that holds dressing well.
Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
Plain low-fat Greek yogurt can be used if that’s what you have. Sour cream can also work, but it will make the dressing richer.
Light Mayonnaise
Regular mayonnaise can be used. The pasta salad will have a creamier texture.
Dijon Mustard
Yellow mustard can be used in a pinch, but Dijon gives the dressing a smoother taste.
Fresh Dill
Dried dill can be used if fresh dill is not available. Start with 2 teaspoons dried dill, then adjust to taste.
Reduced-Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Regular sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, or Colby Jack can be used instead.
Red Onion
Green onions can be used for a milder onion flavor.
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Light Dill Pickle Rotini Pasta Salad
Recipes are written with one action per step for accessibility. Short lines. Fewer rereads. A calmer kitchen on mobile or desktop.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta
- ¾ cup dill pickles chopped
- ⅓ cup dill pickle juice
- ½ cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup celery diced
- ⅓ cup red onion finely diced
- ½ cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese diced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta in a colander. Rinse the pasta under cold water.
- Add the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dill pickle juice over the pasta. Stir the pasta until coated. Let the pasta sit for 5 minutes.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Whisk the dressing until smooth.
- Add the chopped pickles, celery, red onion, and cheddar cheese to the pasta. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Stir until the pasta salad is evenly coated. Cover the bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Stir before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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