Description
Big Mac Pasta Salad is a quick dinner, easy recipe, and crowd-pleasing pasta salad packed with classic cheeseburger flavor. Tender rotini, seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cheddar cheese, pickles, and creamy burger-style dressing come together in one hearty bowl. It is one of those food ideas that works for cookouts, lunch meal prep, potlucks, and easy dinner nights when you want something fresh, filling, and full of familiar flavor.
Ingredients
12 ounces rotini pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped
1/3 cup onion, finely diced
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 tablespoons pickle juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini until al dente according to package directions.
2. Drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water, and set it aside to cool completely.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
4. Season the beef with salt and black pepper, then drain any excess grease and let the beef cool slightly.
5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle juice, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar until smooth.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta and cooked ground beef.
7. Pour most of the dressing over the pasta and beef, then toss well to coat.
8. Add the chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, pickles, onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
9. Gently fold everything together until evenly mixed.
10. Chill the salad for 15 to 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
11. Toss again before serving and add a little extra dressing if needed.
Notes
Let the pasta cool fully before mixing so the dressing stays creamy and the lettuce stays crisp.
Add the lettuce just before serving if you want the freshest texture for parties or meal prep.
For an even stronger burger-style flavor, top with extra pickles, cheese, and a drizzle of dressing right before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Pasta Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 495
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg