Description
A delightful twist on a classic Big Mac, this pasta salad combines all the flavors of a Big Mac in a refreshing and easy-to-make dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced pickles
- 1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat and let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, ground beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Thousand Island dressing, mustard, and ketchup. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for the beef.
- Add diced red onion or bell peppers for extra crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg