Let’s get to the fun part – making the pasta salad! I’ll guide you through each step, making it super simple.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.

Step 2: Drain and Rinse. Drain the cooked pasta in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.

Step 3: Make the Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), pickle juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped dill pickles, cubed cheddar cheese (if using), finely diced red onion, and chopped fresh dill.

Step 5: Toss with Dressing. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad ingredients.

Step 6: Mix Thoroughly. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly, ensuring that the pasta salad is evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 7: Chill and Serve. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.

Step 8: Enjoy! Give the pasta salad a final stir before serving. Serve chilled as a side dish or a light meal.