Description
This Big Mac Pasta Salad is a flavorful and fun twist on the classic Big Mac burger, transformed into a creamy pasta salad perfect for gatherings and potlucks. It combines rotini pasta, seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, fresh vegetables, and a tangy thousand island dressing for a nostalgic yet fresh dish that’s easy to prepare and sure to please.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Rotini Pasta, cooked al dente and drained
- 1 pound Hamburger, browned and drained
- 1 1/2 cups Cheddar Cheese Cubes
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded Iceberg Lettuce
- 1 1/2 cups Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup Minced Onion
- 1 1/2 cups Diced Dill Pickle
Dressing
- 1 1/3 cups Thousand Island Dressing
- 2/3 cup Mayonnaise
Garnish (Optional)
- Dill Pickle Chips
- 1/2 teaspoon White Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Cook and Cool Ingredients: Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and allow it to cool completely. Brown the ground hamburger meat in a skillet; drain excess fat and let the meat cool fully before assembling the salad.
- Combine the Salad Base: In an extra-large mixing bowl, add the cooled rotini pasta, browned hamburger, cheddar cheese cubes, shredded iceberg lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, minced onion, and diced dill pickles. Gently fold the ingredients together until they are well combined without crushing the vegetables or cheese.
- Mix the Dressing: In a medium bowl, stir together the thousand island dressing and mayonnaise until well combined, creating a smooth, creamy dressing.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad ingredients. Gently fold everything together to ensure each bite is fully coated with the dressing and flavors are well blended.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly, enhancing the taste experience.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, optionally garnish the salad with dill pickle chips and a sprinkle of white sesame seeds for added texture and a nod to the classic Big Mac presentation. Enjoy your Big Mac Pasta Salad chilled!
Notes
- Ensure that both the pasta and hamburger are fully cooled before mixing to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- The salad tastes better after chilling for at least 2 hours but can be served immediately if necessary.
- You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat for a different protein option.
- Adjust the amount of dressing to your preference for creaminess or tanginess.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
