Big Mac Pasta Salad: Tangy Diner-Style Remix (Print Version)

Big Mac Pasta Salad brings that iconic burger flavor to a satisfying pasta dish. Loaded with tangy sauce, beef, and pickles, it's a meal-prep win.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy (can be adjusted)

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 lb elbow macaroni
02 - 1 lb lean ground beef
03 - 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ The Special Sauce

05 - 1 cup mayonnaise (full-fat)
06 - 1/4 cup ketchup
07 - 2 tbsp yellow mustard
08 - 3 tbsp sweet pickle relish
09 - 1 tbsp white vinegar
10 - 1 tsp garlic powder
11 - 1 tsp onion powder
12 - 1/2 tsp paprika

→ Fresh Toppings

13 - 1/2 cup diced dill pickles
14 - 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce

→ Flavor Boosters

15 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Get a big pot of water boiling, add a generous pinch of salt – I always forget this part and then my pasta tastes bland, honestly. Cook your elbow macaroni until it's al dente, usually about 7-9 minutes. You want it tender but still with a little bite. Drain it well, then rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking and keep it from clumping. This also helps it cool down for the salad. Don't skip this rinse for the best <strong>Big Mac Pasta Salad</strong> texture.
02 - While the pasta is doing its thing, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and diced yellow onion. Break up the beef with a spoon and cook until it's nicely browned and the onion is softened, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat – I usually just tilt the pan and use a spoon to scoop it out. Season with a little salt and pepper here; it really builds the base flavor for our <strong>Big Mac Pasta Salad</strong>.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Give it a good stir until everything is completely combined and smooth. Taste it! This is your moment to adjust. Does it need more tang? A bit more sweetness? I always add an extra dash of relish for my <strong>Big Mac Pasta Salad</strong>, to be honest!
04 - Add the cooked and cooled macaroni, the browned beef and onion mixture, and most of the shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl with the special sauce. Stir it all together until every piece of pasta and beef is coated in that glorious sauce. This is where it starts to smell <em>so</em> good, like a burger joint, but in my kitchen! Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even better, an hour. Chilling is essential for this <strong>Big Mac Pasta Salad</strong>.
05 - Just before serving your <strong>Big Mac Pasta Salad</strong>, stir in the diced dill pickles and the shredded iceberg lettuce. I find adding these too early makes the lettuce wilt and the pickles lose some of their crunch, which is a real bummer. Give it another gentle stir to distribute everything evenly. You want that fresh, crisp texture right when you dig in, contrasting with the creamy base.
06 - Transfer the <strong>Big Mac Pasta Salad</strong> to a serving bowl. If you like, sprinkle with a little extra shredded cheddar cheese or a few more diced pickles for garnish. Stand back and admire your creation! This dish just screams "fun," and honestly, the first bite always surprises me with how much it tastes like the real deal. It's a crowd-pleaser, I promise!

# Notes:

01 - Don't skip rinsing the pasta in cold water; it's key for a good pasta salad texture and stops it from getting mushy.
02 - The Big Mac Pasta Salad sauce tastes even better if you let it sit for a bit, allowing the flavors to meld.
03 - If you're out of sweet pickle relish, a finely minced dill pickle and a tiny pinch of sugar can work in a pinch, but it won't be exactly the same.
04 - For an extra vibrant presentation, hold off on adding the lettuce until just before serving.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - large skillet
03 - large mixing bowl
04 - whisk
05 - measuring cups and spoons.

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 18g

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