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Big Mac Pasta Salad Recipe

4.7 from 400 reviews

This Big Mac Pasta Salad is a delicious and fun twist on the classic Big Mac burger, combining rotini pasta, seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, onions, and tangy dill pickles, all tossed in a creamy thousand island and mayonnaise dressing. Served chilled, this salad makes a refreshing and hearty meal perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Protein

  • 1 pound rotini pasta, cooked al dente and drained
  • 1 pound hamburger, browned and drained

Vegetables and Cheese

  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese cubes
  • 1 ½ cups shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup onion, minced
  • 1 ½ cups dill pickle, diced

Dressing

  • 1 ⅓ cups thousand island dressing
  • ⅔ cup mayonnaise

Garnish (Optional)

  • Dill pickle chips
  • ½ teaspoon white sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Cool Pasta and Hamburger: After cooking the rotini pasta and browning the hamburger, allow both to cool fully to avoid wilting the fresh ingredients and to prevent the dressing from becoming too thin.
  2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In an extra-large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, browned hamburger, cheddar cheese cubes, shredded lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, minced onion, and diced dill pickles. Gently fold these ingredients together until they are evenly mixed without breaking the components.
  3. Prepare Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the thousand island dressing and mayonnaise until fully combined to create a creamy, flavorful dressing.
  4. Toss with Dressing: Pour the dressing evenly over the pasta salad mixture and gently fold to coat all ingredients thoroughly, ensuring the flavors meld beautifully.
  5. Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to develop and the salad to chill. The salad can be eaten immediately, but chilling enhances the taste.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Before serving, optionally garnish with dill pickle chips and sprinkle with white sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal. Enjoy your Big Mac Pasta Salad!

Notes

  • For best results, let the pasta and hamburger cool completely before mixing to keep the salad fresh and prevent the lettuce from wilting.
  • You can substitute mayonnaise with a lighter alternative to reduce calories.
  • The salad can be prepared a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
  • If desired, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of black pepper to enhance freshness and flavor.
  • Make sure to finely dice the dill pickles for even distribution.

Keywords: Big Mac Pasta Salad, pasta salad, hamburger pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, American salad, rotini salad, picnic recipes, potluck salad