Big Mac Pasta Salad Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where fast-food favorites become fresh, homemade feasts. This Big Mac Pasta Salad captures all the iconic flavors of the classic burger juicy beef, tangy pickles, crisp lettuce, and cheddar cheese tossed in creamy Big Mac sauce with al dente pasta.

Perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, or weeknight dinners that feel indulgent.

Gluten-free pasta adaptable and ready in 30 minutes, this crowd-pleasing salad serves a hungry bunch with make-ahead convenience.

Why This Recipe Works

• Big Mac sauce dressing coats every bite with signature tangy sweetness
• Ground beef adds hearty protein while keeping burger authenticity
• Crisp veggies provide crunch and freshness against creamy pasta
• No cooking buns—just toss and chill for easy entertaining
• Customizable with extra toppings for personalized portions

Ingredients & Prep

• 1 lb ground beef
• 16 oz elbow or cavatappi pasta
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, cubed
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 ½ cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup dill pickles, chopped
• For Big Mac Sauce: ¾ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef until cooked through; drain fat and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cool slightly.
3. Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, mustard, vinegar, paprika, and garlic powder for the sauce.
4. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, onion, pickles, and lettuce.
5. Pour sauce over salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
6. Chill for 1-2 hours. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir in extra lettuce just before serving to maintain crispness. Not recommended for freezing due to veggies.

FAQs

Can I make it ahead? Yes, prepare up to 24 hours in advance; add lettuce right before serving.
Gluten-free? Use gluten-free pasta and ensure pickles/relish are certified GF.
Lighter version? Use ground turkey and Greek yogurt in the sauce.

Conclusion

This Big Mac Pasta Salad transforms burger night into a refreshing, shareable pasta dish bursting with nostalgic flavor. Ideal for gatherings big and small. Get more creative comfort food at dishfoody.com.

Big Mac Pasta Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

Fun Big Mac Pasta Salad with all your favorite burger flavors – seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions tossed in creamy Big Mac sauce. Perfect potluck or summer BBQ side!

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins (+ chilling)
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Salad, Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz elbow or cavatappi pasta
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 3/4 cup dill pickles, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• Sesame seeds for garnish
• Big Mac sauce:
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• 1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
• 2. Brown ground beef in skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Drain fat and season with salt and pepper. Cool.
• 3. Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, mustard, vinegar, sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper for Big Mac sauce.
• 4. In large bowl, combine cooled pasta, ground beef, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and red onion.
• 5. Pour sauce over salad and toss to coat evenly.
• 6. Chill 1 hour. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

• Use Thousand Island dressing as quick sauce substitute.
• Add chopped bacon for extra flavor.
• Make ahead up to 24 hours.
• Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and game day.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: big mac pasta salad, burger pasta salad, potluck pasta salad, bbq side dish