Introduction

This Big Mac Pasta Salad brings the classic flavors of a Big Mac into a refreshing, easy-to-make pasta dish. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a fun weeknight meal, it combines savory beef, tangy pickles, and a creamy, flavorful dressing that everyone will love.

Ingredients

16 oz (454 g) rotini pasta
1 lb (454 g) ground beef
1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp pickle juice
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.
Step 2: In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until fully browned. Drain any excess fat and allow it to cool.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, ground beef, chopped pickles, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, salt, and pepper.
Step 5: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until evenly coated.
Step 6: Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, add sliced cucumbers or diced bell peppers to the salad.
Use ground turkey or plant-based beef substitute for a lighter or vegetarian option.
Adjust the pickle juice and mustard to taste for more tanginess.
Serve on a bed of fresh spinach or mixed greens for added freshness.

Storage

Store the Big Mac Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best flavor and texture, give it a gentle stir before serving. This salad is served cold, so no reheating is necessary.

How to Serve

A clear white bowl filled with a colorful pasta salad sits on a white marbled surface. The salad has many layers: twisted rotini pasta in light yellow, small ground beef pieces in brown, chopped green peppers, bright yellow cubes, cherry tomatoes cut in halves with shiny red skin, and fresh green lettuce leaves scattered throughout. The texture of the pasta looks soft but firm, while the vegetables add a fresh, crisp contrast. The whole salad is tossed evenly for a rich mix of colors and textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, this salad benefits from chilling for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. You can prepare it up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.

What type of pasta works best for this salad?

Rotini is ideal because its spiral shape holds onto the dressing and ingredients well, but you can use other short pasta shapes like penne or fusilli if preferred.

Big Mac Pasta Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 116 reviews

A delicious and easy-to-make Big Mac Pasta Salad that combines the flavors of a classic Big Mac burger with a creamy, tangy pasta salad. Featuring rotini pasta, seasoned ground beef, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar cheese, and a signature dressing made with mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and pickle juice, this dish is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or casual family dinners.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Meat

16 oz (454 g) rotini pasta
1 lb (454 g) ground beef

Vegetables and Cheese

1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
1 cup shredded 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

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside to cool completely.
Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef thoroughly, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned and no longer pink, drain any excess fat from the skillet. Allow the beef to cool slightly.
Combine Main Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, cooked ground beef, chopped dill pickles, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onion, and shredded cheddar cheese. Gently toss to combine all the ingredients evenly.
Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle juice, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and well mixed.
Mix Dressing with Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure every bite is coated with the flavorful sauce.
Chill and Serve: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Serve cold or at room temperature as a hearty side or a main dish.

Notes

For best flavor, chill the salad for at least an hour before serving to let the dressing soak in.
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the dressing.
This salad stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Feel free to add extra shredded cheese or pickles to taste.

Keywords: Big Mac pasta salad, rotini pasta salad, ground beef pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, picnic salad, burger inspired salad