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Big Mac Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 56 reviews

A delicious Big Mac Pasta Salad that combines all the iconic flavors of a Big Mac burger into a refreshing and easy-to-make pasta salad. Featuring rotini pasta, seasoned ground beef, crisp vegetables, cheddar cheese, and a tangy homemade dressing inspired by Big Mac sauce, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a hearty lunch.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta:

  • 16 oz (454 g) rotini pasta

Beef:

  • 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Vegetables & Add-Ins:

  • 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Dressing:

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 2 tbsp pickle juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. Prepare the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it into small crumbles. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat and allow the beef to cool to room temperature.
  3. Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked ground beef, chopped dill pickles, shredded iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
  4. Make the dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle juice, and salt and pepper to taste until smooth and well combined.
  5. Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Chill and serve: Cover the pasta salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Toss again before serving and garnish with extra shredded lettuce, chopped pickles, or additional cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Make sure to cool both the pasta and the cooked beef completely before combining to prevent the mayonnaise-based dressing from melting or becoming oily.
  • For a more authentic Big Mac flavor, use dill pickle juice in the dressing and add extra pickles as garnish.
  • This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the lettuce may wilt over time; consider adding fresh lettuce if serving later.
  • To reduce fat, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey if preferred.
  • Adjust the seasoning and dressing ingredients to taste for a customized flavor profile.