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Flavorful Big Mac Pasta Salad Recipe for Easy Summer Cookouts

Big Mac Pasta Salad - featured image

A chilled, refreshing pasta salad inspired by the tangy, creamy flavors of a Big Mac, perfect for summer cookouts or easy weekday dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
  • 1/4 cup finely diced white onion
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp mustard
  • 2 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown lean ground beef, breaking it into crumbles. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Drain excess fat and set aside to cool.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, white vinegar, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, and onion powder. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with ground beef, shredded cheddar, chopped lettuce, diced onion, and chopped dill pickles.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is well-coated.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top before serving, if desired.

Notes

[‘Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend beautifully.’, ‘Add lettuce just before serving to maintain its crunch.’, ‘Taste and adjust the dressing for sweetness or tang as needed.’, ‘If the salad feels dry after chilling, stir in a bit more dressing before serving.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: Big Mac, Pasta Salad, Summer Cookout, Easy Recipe, Crowd-Pleaser