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Big Mac Pasta Salad

Big Mac Pasta Salad: A Creamy Twist You’ll Love!

Experience the flavors of a Big Mac in this easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing pasta salad that's perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Beef
  • 1 pound ground beef Opt for 96% lean
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Or substitute with soy sauce
For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces chickpea pasta Can be swapped for regular pasta
For the Vegetables
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes Or substitute with cherry tomatoes
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce Or substitute with iceberg lettuce
  • 0.5 cup red onion Or substitute with green onions
  • 0.5 cup dill pickles Or substitute with sweet pickles
For the Dressing
  • 0.5 cup Greek yogurt Or substitute with sour cream or dairy-free yogurt
  • 0.25 cup light mayonnaise Or substitute with full-fat mayo or vegan mayo
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup Look for sugar-free options
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard Or substitute with Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice No effective substitute
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Cutting Board
  • large spoon

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 pound of lean ground beef and brown it for about 5-7 minutes, or until no pink remains. Stir in a splash of Worcestershire sauce for added flavor. Once the beef is cooked through and beautifully browned, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool at room temperature.
  2. While the beef is cooling, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of chickpea pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically around 7-9 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  3. Halve 1 cup of grape tomatoes, chop 2 cups of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, dice half a red onion, and slice 1/2 cup of dill pickles.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup of light mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, and 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard. Add a dash of dill pickle juice and sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked ground beef, halved grape tomatoes, chopped romaine, diced red onion, and sliced dill pickles. Gently fold the ingredients together.
  6. Drizzle your creamy dressing over the assembled salad mixture. Using a large spoon, gently toss the salad until everything is evenly coated with that delicious dressing.
  7. Sprinkle white sesame seeds over the top of the salad just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Cool the pasta thoroughly after cooking to prevent wilting the lettuce. Fold in the romaine just before serving for extra crispness. Adjust the dressing seasoning to your preference. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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