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Big Mac Pasta Salad

Big Mac Pasta Salad

Big Mac Pasta Salad is a vibrant and creamy pasta salad that captures the iconic flavors of a Big Mac sandwich with layers of savory ground beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, tangy pickles, sharp cheddar cheese, and a special sauce. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or quick family dinners, this easy-to-make dish offers a refreshing twist on a classic comfort food, ready in about 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 3 cups rotini or elbow macaroni pasta

Protein

  • 1 pound ground beef

Vegetables

  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup sliced pickles
  • 1/4 cup finely diced onion

Cheese

  • 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Special Sauce

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar (such as white or apple cider)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold water to cool and prevent clumping.
  2. Prepare the Beef: While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper, break up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat and let cool slightly.
  3. Chop Your Veggies: Finely dice the onion, shred the iceberg lettuce, slice the pickles, and grate the cheddar cheese to have all ingredients ready for assembly.
  4. Make the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir until smooth and adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. Combine All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together the cooled pasta, cooked ground beef, chopped vegetables, cheese, and special sauce until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Stir before serving and enjoy cold or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use cold pasta: rinsing under cold water prevents clumping and keeps the salad refreshing.
  • Drain excess fat from beef to avoid an oily salad.
  • Customize the special sauce gradually to balance flavors to your liking.
  • Chill the salad to enhance flavor melding.
  • Add lettuce just before serving for extra crunch, or earlier for a softer texture.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free pasta)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: Big Mac Pasta Salad, pasta salad, ground beef salad, picnic recipe, potluck dish, family dinner, Big Mac flavors, creamy pasta salad