Description
A creamy, tangy pasta salad inspired by the classic Big Mac flavors, perfect for picnics and potlucks.
Ingredients
- 12 oz short pasta (rotini or macaroni)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickles
- 2 tbsp pickle juice
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- Extra chopped pickles for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the short pasta in a large pot of well-salted water until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and cool slightly.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet, seasoning with onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until it reaches 160°F. Drain excess fat.
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, dill pickles, pickle juice, ketchup, yellow mustard, white vinegar, and sugar to create the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, seasoned beef, cheddar cheese, chopped lettuce, diced onion, and extra chopped pickles.
- Toss everything with the dressing and chill for 30–60 minutes before serving.
Notes
Taste improves with chilling; let the salad rest for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and mixing
- Cuisine: American