Big Mac Pasta Salad

$- 8 ounces rotini pasta - 1 cup ground beef (cooked and crumbled) - 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded - 1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded I love using rotini pasta in this dish. Its twists hold the sauce well, making each bite tasty. Ground beef brings a nice, hearty flavor. Use cooked and crumbled beef for the best results. Shredded cheddar cheese adds a creamy, rich taste. Iceberg lettuce gives a lovely crunch that balances the softness of the pasta. - 1 cup mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons ketchup - 1 tablespoon mustard - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar The dressing is where the magic happens! Mayonnaise forms the creamy base. Ketchup adds sweetness and a hint of tang. Mustard gives a sharp flavor that brightens the whole dish. Finally, apple cider vinegar adds a little zing to the mix. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to taste! - 1/2 cup diced pickles - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped For extra flavor, consider some optional add-ins. Diced pickles give a nice crunch and a tangy taste. Cherry tomatoes add a pop of color and sweetness. Finely chopped red onion provides a sharp bite, balancing the creaminess of the dressing. Feel free to mix and match these add-ins based on what you like! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, boil 8 ounces of rotini pasta. Cook it until it is al dente, which means it should still be firm. After cooking, drain the pasta well. Now, rinse it with cold water. This cools the pasta and stops the cooking process. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta with the following ingredients: - 1 cup ground beef (cooked and crumbled) - 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded - 1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded - 1/2 cup pickles, diced - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped Make the dressing in a separate bowl. Whisk together these ingredients until smooth: - 1 cup mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons ketchup - 1 tablespoon mustard - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - Salt and pepper to taste Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Gently toss everything until well coated. Taste the salad and add more salt or pepper if needed. Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend together. Serve it chilled for the best taste. To make the dressing great, start with the basics. Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Mix until smooth. After that, taste it. Adjust the seasoning to your liking. You may want to add more salt or pepper. If you want a different flavor, try using ranch or Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. These options can make the salad lighter. After enjoying your Big Mac Pasta Salad, store any leftovers properly. Use an airtight container to keep it fresh. Make sure to refrigerate it right away. The salad is best if eaten within three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. However, freezing may change the texture of the veggies. When serving, consider garnishing your salad for added flavor. You can sprinkle extra cheddar cheese or diced pickles on top. These little touches can enhance the taste. For pairing, serve it with garlic bread or a fresh side salad. This makes a complete meal that everyone will love. Pro Tips Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cooking your rotini pasta until it's al dente ensures it maintains a firm texture, preventing it from becoming mushy in the salad. Cool the Pasta: Rinsing the cooked pasta with cold water not only cools it down quickly but also helps stop the cooking process, keeping the pasta perfectly firm. Customize the Dressing: Feel free to adjust the mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard ratios according to your taste; adding a little bit of spice can elevate the flavor! Let It Chill: Refrigerating the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld together, creating a more delicious and cohesive dish. {{image_2}} You can change this dish to fit your taste. Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. This makes it lighter but still tasty. You can also swap out the cheddar cheese. Try mozzarella or pepper jack for a new flavor. If you want a vegan option, choose dairy-free cheese. There are many great brands that melt well. You can also swap the ground beef for plant-based protein. Options like lentils or chickpeas work nicely. They add texture and protein, keeping the dish filling. For those needing gluten-free choices, look for gluten-free pasta. Many brands offer great alternatives. You can also use quinoa or cauliflower rice as a base. Both add a nice texture and work well with the flavors in the salad. To keep your Big Mac Pasta Salad fresh, use airtight containers. These containers help seal in moisture and flavor. After making the salad, let it cool. Then, pack it into the containers. Store the containers in the fridge. This keeps your salad safe to eat. Your salad will stay good for about 3 days in the fridge. After this time, the quality may drop. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. Just know that freezing can change the texture. Make sure to use freezer-safe containers if you choose this option. When you take the salad out of the fridge, serve it chilled. This keeps the flavors bright and fresh. If it looks a bit dry, re-toss it. Mix everything gently to get the dressing back throughout the salad. This way, each bite tastes great! You can make this salad your own in many ways. Try swapping rotini pasta for penne or fusilli. You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. For cheese lovers, add mozzarella or pepper jack for a kick. Want more crunch? Toss in some bell peppers or carrots. You can even add avocado for creaminess. The key is to keep the flavors fresh and fun! Yes, you can prepare this salad a day ahead. Just follow the recipe up to mixing in the dressing. Keep the dressing separate until you are ready to serve. This way, the pasta and veggies stay crisp. Just before serving, mix in the dressing for the best taste. Chill the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors. If you want a lighter option, try Greek yogurt. It adds creaminess with less fat. You can also use sour cream for a tangy twist. For a dairy-free choice, avocado or hummus works well too. Each of these will give a unique flavor while keeping the salad creamy and delicious. This blog post covered everything you need for a tasty Big Mac Pasta Salad. We explored main ingredients like rotini pasta and ground beef, plus optional add-ins. You learned simple steps for cooking, mixing, and chilling. Tips for dressing and storing leftovers helped boost your cooking game. Try different variations if you want fresh ideas. You can easily adjust flavors or substitute ingredients. Enjoy your delicious salad, and remember to have fun while making it!$

A delicious pasta salad inspired by the classic Big Mac, featuring ground beef, cheese, and a creamy dressing.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

8 ounces rotini pasta
1 cup ground beef (cooked and crumbled)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
0.5 cup pickles, diced
0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
to taste salt and pepper

Instructions

Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta down.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rotini pasta, crumbled ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce, diced pickles, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped red onion.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss until everything is well coated.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or any additional dressing if desired.
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Serve chilled, garnished with additional pickles or cheese on top if desired.

Notes

Chill for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor.

Keyword big mac, cheddar cheese, easy recipe, ground beef, pasta salad