Your New Favorite Big Mac Pasta Salad Is Here!
If you’ve ever wished you could capture all the iconic, crave-able flavors of a Big Mac but in a fun, shareable format, then you are in for a treat.
Today, we’re making a Big Mac Pasta Salad. This dish takes all the signature components of the famous burger—the savory ground beef, the special sauce, the cheese, the pickles—and transforms them into a creamy, satisfying pasta salad.
This recipe is a fun and delicious mashup that is perfect for your next barbecue, potluck, or an easy weeknight dinner.
We’ll be tossing tender pasta and seasoned ground beef in a homemade “special sauce” dressing that tastes just like the real thing. Loaded with crunchy lettuce, sharp onions, and tangy pickles, every single bite tastes just like you’re eating a Big Mac.
This is a crowd-pleasing dish that is sure to have everyone asking for the recipe. Let’s get mixing and create a truly unforgettable pasta salad.
Essential Tools
- Large Pot for Cooking Pasta
- Colander
- Large Skillet
- Large Salad Bowl
- Small Bowl or Jar for the Dressing
- Whisk
- Sharp Knife and Cutting Board
Quick Recipe Snapshot
Here’s a quick look at how easily this fun and flavorful salad comes together.
| Prep time | Cook time | Total time | Yield | Skill level | Spice level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes | 20 minutes | 40 minutes (+ chilling) | 8-10 servings | Easy | Mild |
Ingredients
This fun recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to recreate a classic fast-food flavor.
For the Pasta Salad:
- Macaroni or Small Shell Pasta: 1 lb.
- 4-5 servings: 8 oz
- 8-10 servings: 1 lb
- Lean Ground Beef: 1 lb.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups.
- Dill Pickles: 1 cup, finely chopped.
- White Onion: ½, very finely minced.
- Shredded Iceberg Lettuce: 2 cups.
- Sesame Seeds: 2 tbsp, for garnish.
For the “Special Sauce” Dressing:
- Mayonnaise: 1 cup.
- French Dressing: ¼ cup.
- Sweet Pickle Relish: ¼ cup.
- White Vinegar: 1 tbsp.
- Sugar: 1 tsp.
- Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: 1 tsp each.
- Smoked Paprika: ½ tsp.
The Flavor Architects A Look at the Ingredients
- The “Special Sauce”: This homemade dressing is the heart of the recipe. The creamy mayonnaise, tangy French dressing, and sweet pickle relish create that signature trifecta of flavors. A touch of vinegar adds sharpness, while the paprika provides color and a hint of smokiness.
- Ground Beef & Cheddar: This combination provides the savory, satisfying “burger” element. Seasoning the beef simply allows the flavor of the special sauce to shine.
- Pickles & Onions: These are non-negotiable for an authentic Big Mac flavor. The dill pickles provide a briny, tangy crunch, while the finely minced white onion adds a sharp, pungent bite.
- Iceberg Lettuce & Sesame Seeds: These are the finishing touches that complete the experience. The iceberg adds a cool, watery crunch, and the sprinkle of sesame seeds is a nod to the classic sesame seed bun.
Cooking Instructions
This crowd-pleasing salad is a simple process of cooking the pasta and beef, then tossing everything in a delicious homemade special sauce.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Beef
First, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook according to the package directions until it is al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season the beef with a little salt and pepper as it cooks.
Once the beef is cooked through, it is very important to drain off all the excess grease. Let the cooked beef cool. When the pasta is done, drain it and rinse it thoroughly with cold water to cool it down and prevent it from sticking.
Step 2: Create the “Special Sauce” Dressing
While the pasta and beef are cooling, you can prepare the iconic dressing.
In a medium bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients: the mayonnaise, French dressing, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Whisk everything together until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and a pale pinkish-orange color. This can be made a day or two in advance for even better flavor.
Step 3: Combine the Salad Ingredients
In a very large salad bowl, combine the cooled and well-drained pasta and the cooled, cooked ground beef.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese, the finely chopped dill pickles, and the very finely minced white onion to the bowl.
This combination of ingredients forms the flavorful core of your Big Mac pasta salad.
Step 4: Dress the Salad and Chill
Pour your homemade “special sauce” dressing all over the ingredients in the large bowl. Use a large spatula to gently fold and toss everything together until all the pasta and mix-ins are evenly and generously coated in the creamy dressing.
For the best flavor, cover the bowl and let the pasta salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours. This essential step allows the pasta to absorb the flavors of the dressing.
Just before serving, gently fold in the shredded iceberg lettuce and sprinkle the top with sesame seeds.
Recipe Variations
This fun pasta salad is a great base for your own creative twists.
- Make it Spicy: For a spicy kick, add a tablespoon or two of sriracha or a finely diced jalapeño to the dressing.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add some finely chopped tomatoes to the salad for a fresh, juicy element.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Version: Add a cup of crispy, crumbled bacon to the salad along with the ground beef for an even more savory flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty and flavorful pasta salad is a perfect side dish for any casual gathering.
- At a Barbecue: It’s the perfect, fun side dish to serve alongside grilled burgers and hot dogs.
- For a Potluck: This is a go-to recipe for potlucks because it’s unique, can be made ahead, and is always a huge hit with both kids and adults.
- As a Main Course: A large bowl of this pasta salad is a satisfying and complete meal on its own, perfect for a fun weeknight dinner.
Storage & Reheating Tips
This pasta salad is a fantastic make-ahead dish.
- Storage: Store the Big Mac pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best to store it without the lettuce mixed in, if possible.
- Reheating: This salad is designed to be eaten cold. Do not reheat it.
- Freshening Up: The pasta will absorb some of the dressing as it sits. If you’re making it a day ahead, it’s a good idea to reserve a little of the dressing to stir in just before serving. If adding the lettuce, always do so right before you serve it to keep it crunchy.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| My salad is greasy. | It is very important to thoroughly drain all the excess fat from the ground beef after browning it. Using a leaner ground beef (90/10 or leaner) also helps to prevent a greasy result. |
| The salad is dry the next day. | Pasta is very absorbent and will soak up the dressing as it sits. This is normal. Before serving leftovers, simply stir in an extra dollop of mayonnaise or a little more French dressing to make it creamy again. |
| My lettuce is wilted and sad. | For the absolute best texture, the shredded lettuce should be folded in at the very last minute, right before you serve the salad. If you know you’ll have leftovers, only add lettuce to the portion you plan to eat. |
| The onion flavor is too strong. | For an authentic Big Mac flavor, a sharp raw onion bite is key. However, to mellow it, you can soak the finely minced onion in a small bowl of cold water for 10 minutes, then drain it well before adding it to the salad. |
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of pasta?
Yes, absolutely. While macaroni or small shells are classic for this type of salad, any short pasta shape will work well.
Rotini or fusilli would be great choices as their spiral shape is perfect for catching the creamy dressing.
Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?
Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead dish. You can prepare the entire salad (except for the lettuce and sesame seeds) up to 24 hours in advance.
Keep it covered in the refrigerator. Just before serving, give it a good stir, fold in the fresh lettuce, and garnish with the sesame seeds.
Is there a substitute for the French dressing?
French dressing is a key component for that authentic “special sauce” flavor, providing both tanginess and sweetness.
If you don’t have it, you can substitute it with a combination of 3 tablespoons of ketchup and 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise.
Enjoy Your Fun and Flavorful Pasta Salad!
You are now ready to make a Big Mac pasta salad that is a fun, delicious, and nostalgic twist on two classic comfort foods.
It’s a guaranteed hit for any potluck, barbecue, or family dinner. I hope you and your guests love every single creamy and savory bite!
