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BIG MAC Pasta Salad

All the flavors of a McDonalds Big Mac in a delicious bowl of "I can't believe this is a Pasta salad". So delicious.
Course: catherines plates, cooking channel, copycat recipe, ground beef recipe, Main Course, Main Dish, mcdonalds, pasta, pasta salad, potluck, Salad, Side Dish, summer dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Catherine's Plates

Equipment

  • medium skillet
  • spatula
  • measuring spoons & cups
  • large pot
  • cutting board & sharp knife
  • large mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 tsp salt (DIVIDED)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (DIVIDED)
  • 12 oz uncooked rotini pasta
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 TBS yellow mustard
  • 2 TBS dill pickle juice from jar
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
  • 1 cup french fried onions

Instructions

  • In a medium skillet over medium high heat break up and cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease.
    NOTE: break up ground beef into bigger than usual pieces
  • Add in diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper. Place cooked ground beef into a large mixing bowl to cool.
  • In a large pot of salted water, boil rotini pasta per instructions on back of package until cooked. Drain pasta and run cold water over pasta until cooled. Leave in colander. Pat cooked pasta down with paper towels.
    NOTE; salt boiling water with 1/2 TBS salt for flavoring pasta before cooking.
    NOTE: I also like to add a few ice cubes to the colander while running water over pasta to cool it down faster.

Secret Sauce Dressing

  • In a medium bowl whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and a dash of pepper.
    NOTE: taste dressing and adjust seasonings as needed.
  • Stir in chopped pickles to dressing.

Making the Pasta Salad

  • In the large mixing bowl with the cooked ground beef add cooked, cooled pasta, shredded cheese, dressing, and french fried onions. Toss everything together to coat evenly.
  • Enjoy as is or serve over iceberg lettuce. For a heartier salad, mix in shredded lettuce. Top with extra fried onions and cheese, if desired. Enjoy.