Description
Big Mac Pasta Salad is a creamy, hearty pasta salad loaded with seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, pickles, and a tangy burger-style dressing. This easy pasta salad recipe brings all the classic cheeseburger flavors into one crowd-pleasing side dish that is perfect for potlucks, cookouts, meal prep, and simple family dinners.
Ingredients
12 ounces rotini pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped iceberg lettuce
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini until just tender according to the package directions. Drain, rinse under cool water, and let it cool completely.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess grease, then season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Let the beef cool.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, and paprika until smooth.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooled beef, cheddar cheese, red onion, pickles, and tomatoes.
5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
6. Fold in the chopped lettuce just before serving so it stays crisp.
7. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving if desired.
Notes
Let the pasta and beef cool fully before mixing so the dressing stays creamy and the lettuce stays crisp.
For the best texture, add the lettuce right before serving instead of mixing it in too early.
This salad tastes even better after chilling, so it is a great make-ahead option for parties and meal prep.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 565
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 78mg