Big Mac Pasta Salad is going to be your new favorite dish this summer! All the flavors of a delicious Big Mac in a refreshing chilled pasta salad perfect for a summer dinner!
This big mac salad recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to personal preferences, it’s a unique twist on the classic American burger. Cavatappi pasta salad is a fun and creative way to enjoy the flavors of a burger in a new and exciting way!
What is Big Mac Pasta Salad?
Big Mac Pasta Salad is a fun twist on the traditional pasta salad. It is a delicious combination of pasta, beef, vegetables, and dressing that is inspired by the classic Big Mac sandwich from McDonald’s.
The salad is made with cavatappi pasta, which is a spiral-shaped pasta that holds the dressing well. The beef is lean and browned, and the onions are thinly sliced to add a bit of crunch to the salad. Diced dill pickles are added to give the salad a tangy flavor. Then top the pasta with chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and mild cheddar cheese. The dressing used in the salad is Thousand Island dressing, which is a creamy and tangy dressing that complements the other ingredients well.
This pasta salad is a flavorful dish that is perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress your guests with a creative dish!
Serving Suggestions for Chilled Pasta Salad
- Potluck Parties: This pasta salad is perfect for potluck parties. It can be easily transported and served cold, making it an ideal dish for outdoor events. To make it more appealing, you can serve it in a large bowl and garnish it with sesame seeds. The salad can be served with grilled meats or as a standalone dish.
- Family Dinners: Big Mac Pasta Salad is a great addition to family dinners. It can be served as a side dish or a main course, depending on your preference. To make it more filling, you can add more beef or cheese to the salad. The salad can be served with garlic bread or a side of vegetables.
- Lunches: This Big Mac Pasta is a perfect dish for lunches. It can be easily packed in a lunchbox and taken to work or school. To make it more appealing, you can add some chopped bacon or ham to the salad. The salad can be served with crackers or a side of fruit.
Ingredients for Big Mac Pasta Salad
Pasta: For the base of this dish you will need 8-oz of cavatappi pasta, cooked and drained.
Beef: Use 1 lb. of lean ground beef, browned and drained, for a protein packed salad.
Onion: Adding ½ cup of red onion, thinly sliced, gives this pasta amazing flavor and a pop of color too.
Pickles: A burger isn’t complete without pickles, you will need ¾ cup of diced dill pickles for this recipe.
Lettuce: 1 cup of green leaf lettuce, chopped, adds a familiar taste and texture to this pasta dish.
Tomatoes: Using 10-oz of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half, adds more incredible flavor and texture too.
Cheese: You need 8-oz of mild cheddar cheese, cubed, for rich cheesy goodness in every bite.
Dressing: For a tangy and slightly sweet flavor, use 2 cups of thousand island dressing.
Sesame seeds: If desired, sprinkle the final assembled salad with some sesame seeds for garnish.
Step by step on how to make Big Mac Pasta
Prep
To begin, prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Rinse and drain the pasta, then set it aside.
Next you need to cook the ground beef as well. In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook the beef and break it up into small chunks. Let the beef cool before beginning the assembly process.
The veggies need to be prepped also. Chop/dice/slice the onion, pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Assemble
Once all the ingredients are prepped, in a large bowl combine the cooked and drained pasta with the cooked ground beef, onion, pickles, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and dressing. If you are not going to serve right away, hold off on adding in the lettuce. Add that before serving.
Toss all the ingredients well to combine. If desired, garnish with sesame seeds.
After that chill the pasta in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Big Mac Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz cavatappi pasta cooked and drained
- 1 lb lean ground beef browned and drained
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ¾ cup dill pickles diced
- 1 cup green leaf lettuce chopped
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 8 oz mild cheddar cheese cubed
- 2 cups thousand island dressing
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prep: Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Rinse and drain the pasta, set it aside.
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet, over medium heat, and break it up into small chunks. Let the beef cool before beginning the assembly process.
- Chop/dice/slice the onion, pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes.
- Assemble: Once all the ingredients are prepped, in a large bowl combine the cooked and drained pasta with the cooked ground beef, onion, pickles, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and dressing. If you are not going to serve right away, hold off on adding in the lettuce. Add that before serving.
- Toss all the ingredients well to combine. If desired, garnish with sesame seeds. After that chill the pasta in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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How long is Burger Pasta Salad good for?
The Big Mac Pasta Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It is recommended to store the dressing separately and mix it in right before serving.
How do you prepare the beef for a Big Mac Pasta Salad?
To prepare the beef for a Big Mac Pasta Salad, you will need to brown it in a skillet until it is fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set the beef aside to cool before adding it to the salad.
Can the Big Mac Pasta be made with a healthier dressing option?
Yes, the Big Mac Pasta Salad can be made with a healthier dressing option. You can substitute the thousand island dressing with a low-fat or light version, or even make your own dressing using healthier ingredients.
What are some variations of the Big Mac Pasta Salad?
There are many variations of the Big Mac Pasta Salad that you can try. You can add different vegetables such as bell peppers, cucumbers, or carrots, or even experiment with different types of pasta. You can also try adding different types of cheese or using a different dressing to change up the flavor.
Can you make a vegetarian Big Mac Pasta Salad?
To make a vegetarian version of the Big Mac Pasta Salad, you can substitute the ground beef with a meatless alternative such as crumbled tofu or vegetarian ground beef. You can also omit the cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
For more incredible summer recipes, try these:
- EASY SUMMER CORN SALAD
- HONEY GLAZED CHICKEN WINGS
- GARDEN VEGETABLE CAPRESE SALAD
- SUMMER VEGETABLE STEW
- FIESTA RANCH CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
- GRILLED RANCH BBQ CHICKEN
- CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
- SOUTHERN POTATO SALAD RECIPE
- EASY SMOKED CHICKEN LEGS RECIPE
- RICH & CREAMY GRAPE SALAD
- BLUEBERRY PRETZEL SALAD
- EASY CUCUMBER TOMATO SALAD
- CREAMY BERRY LEMON JELLO
- FRUITY SUMMERTIME TREATS
- BBQ CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA
- LEMON CAESAR SALAD
- PINK LEMONADE ICE CREAM SMOOTHIES
- SWEET AND SPICY GRILLED STICKY CHICKEN
- SUMMER FRUIT PASTA SALAD
Big Mac Pasta Salad is made with pasta, ground beef, onion, tomato, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and coated in a zesty sauce. This chilled pasta recipe comes together easily and can be customized to your personal preferences.
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