Dill Pickle Pasta Salad (Reduced-Fat Greek Yogurt Dressing)

This dill pickle pasta salad is creamy, crunchy, protein-rich, and packed with bold pickle flavor thanks to a reduced-fat Greek yogurt dressing, making it an easy healthy pasta salad recipe perfect for meal prep, summer gatherings, and satisfying weekday lunches.

For more healthy creamy pasta salads, try our cold pasta salad, Greek yogurt pasta salad, and macaroni salad.

Ingredients

Full ingredients and substitutions are in the recipe box below.

• Short pasta: Rotini, shells, or fusilli all work well because the dressing clings to the twists and curves. Use whole wheat pasta for more fiber or gluten-free pasta if needed.
• Dill pickles: Classic dill pickles add the best tangy flavor. You can also use spicy pickles, bread and butter pickles for a sweeter twist, or chopped pickled cucumbers from the deli section.
• Celery: Adds fresh crunch. Substitute diced cucumber, green bell pepper, or even chopped snap peas.
• Red onion: Gives sharp flavor and color. Swap with quick pickled onions, green onions, shallots, or chives for a milder taste.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar adds richness without needing much. Try pepper jack, feta, mozzarella, or non-dairy cheese.
• Butter beans: They make this a more protein-rich pasta salad while staying creamy and mild. Cannellini beans or chickpeas work well too.
• Fresh dill: Fresh dill gives the salad its classic dill flavor. Substitute dried dill if needed. If you don’t have dill, the salad is also good with chives or parsley.
• Greek yogurt: Full-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt both work well. For even more protein, use low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr. Non-dairy yogurt also works in this lightened up pasta salad.
• Mayonnaise: Just a little adds richness. Substitute extra virgin olive oil or skip it completely.
• Dill pickle juice: This is what gives the dressing its bold, tangy pickle flavor. Lemon juice or vinegar work too, but start with a little less since they taste sharper.
• Dijon mustard: Adds depth and balances the creamy dressing. Yellow mustard also works.
• Garlic powder: Adds savory flavor without overpowering the pickles. This is optional. Skip if you prefer.

Step 1. Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Add the pasta and cook it according to the package directions until fully cooked. For pasta salad, do not undercook it. The pasta firms up as it cools.

Drain the pasta, then rinse it under cold water for 10 seconds.

Shake off extra water well and add the pasta to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2. Make the Greek yogurt dressing

In a small bowl, add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, dill pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Whisk until smooth and creamy.

This simple pickle juice pasta salad dressing gives the salad a bold, tangy flavor without making it too heavy.

Step 3. Add the salad ingredients

To the bowl with the pasta, add the sliced dill pickles, celery, red onion, cheddar cheese, butter beans, and fresh dill.

The butter beans make this a more filling meal prep pasta salad, but they stay mild and creamy.

Step 4. Toss, chill, and serve

Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and mix gently until everything is evenly coated.

Taste and add more pickle juice, salt, or black pepper if needed.

You can serve the salad right away, but it tastes even better after chilling for 30 minutes.

Before serving, give it one more stir and top with extra fresh dill if you like.

• Chickpea Pasta Salad
• 3 Bean Pasta Salad
• Pesto Pasta Salad with Marinated Butter Beans
• Greek Yogurt Macaroni Salad
• White Bean Salad
• Butter Bean Caesar Salad
• Greek bean salad
• Dense White Bean Salad

For even more inspiration, browse our potluck ideas and favorite summer salad recipes.

If you try this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it turned out in the comments—we love hearing from you.