If you’re craving the juicy flavors of a Big Mac, this Big Mac pasta salad is such a fun twist on the classic! This recipe is the perfect solution for your next potluck, backyard BBQ or summer side dish. Imagine tender noodles tossed in a creamy, tangy sauce, loaded with seasoned ground beef, crunchy lettuce, dill pickles, onion and fresh tomatoes. It’s all the delicious flavors and textures you love from your favorite fast food cheeseburger in a refreshing, crowd-pleasing pasta salad. This recipe is a fun copycat twist that takes inspiration from the iconic Big Mac, with the a perfect balance of sweet, tangy and creamy flavors. This loaded Big Mac Pasta Salad is sure to be a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Pasta
This Big Mac pasta salad is a delicious combination of flavors!
It is the perfect appetizer, side dish, lunch or dinner for your next BBQ or pool party.
This recipe is kid-friendly!
It is a fun and wholesome twist on a classic fast food recipe.
This recipe is packed with vegetables and protein.
This pasta salad is a fun way to switch it up and try a unique flavor combination.
It is so easy to throw together!
Equipment Needed
All you need to make this Big Mac pasta salad is a pan, bowl, cutting board, knife and pot.
Ingredients Needed
Ground Beef: I used ground beef in this recipe to replicate the Big Mac flavors! I try to use high quality meat whenever possible. I love ordering from ButcherBox for this reason! If you use my code LAUREN20 you get $20 off your first box.
Pasta: I used gluten free pasta here because I am gluten free! Feel free to use any kind of pasta you love here.
Lettuce: Romaine lettuce gives this salad a delicious crunch!
Pickles: Pickles add a lot of flavor to this Big Mac pasta salad and help to create the nostalgic flavor.
Onion: I used red onion here, but feel free to use sweet onion if you prefer.
Tomatoes: I used cherry tomatoes here. Tomatoes are actually not an ingredient on the typical Big Mac but I thought they fit well here!
Green Onion: I topped this pasta salad with some green onion for some extra flavor and freshness!
Seasoning: I used garlic powder and salt to season this ground beef but you can use any seasoning you love.
Sauce: I used burger sauce for this pasta salad recipe to add the Big Mac flavor!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
Step 2: Season ground beef and cook in a pan over med-high heat until browned.
Step 3: While beef is cooking, make pasta according to instructions.
Step 4: Chop vegetables.
Step 5: Once pasta and beef are cooled, add to a bowl and pour in vegetables.
Step 6: Add sauce on the top and combine. Enjoy!
Storage
Store this Big Mac pasta salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. I do not recommend freezing this pasta salad.
Variations
Meat: If you prefer to substitute the ground beef, try swapping in ground chicken or ground turkey instead.
Vegetables: I used tomatoes, onion, lettuce and pickles in this pasta salad. Try adding relish as well if you desire! You can also use regular tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes and sweet onion instead of red onion.
Sauce: I used pre-made burger sauce from Primal Kitchen, but feel free to make your own!
Pasta: Get creative here and try out different pasta shapes! You can also use protein pasta.
Seasoning: I used garlic powder and salt to season my ground beef, but feel free to add additional seasonings.
Additions: Feel free to add additional toppings! Cheese and croutons would be delicious additions to this pasta salad.
How to Serve
Big Mac pasta salad is a versatile dish that can be served in a few different ways, depending on the occasion and your preference:
Simple and chilled: This is the most common way to serve Big Mac pasta salad. Prepare the salad ahead of time and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve it cold as a refreshing side dish at potlucks, picnics, backyard BBQs or for a light summer lunch.
With a Big Mac flair: For a more playful presentation, serve the Big Mac pasta salad in individual bowls or cups. Top it with toasted sesame seed bun croutons for a textural contrast and a fun nod to the classic burger. You can also add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese for an extra cheesy element.
As a main course: Big Mac pasta salad is quite filling due to the presence of pasta and ground beef. If you’re serving it as a main course, consider serving it with a green side salad.
Recipe FAQ
Can I serve big mac pasta salad warm?
Yes, you can definitely serve this pasta salad warm but I prefer serving it after it has been sitting in the fridge for a few hours so the flavors meld together.
How much sauce will I need?
I used a bottle of burger sauce which is 10 oz.
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
I think this pasta salad tastes the best when made the same day if you are serving it to guests.
Can I freeze this pasta?
I would not recommend freezing this pasta salad.
Why is pasta salad better the next day?
Some people prefer pasta salad the next day because the flavors have had the chance to meld together.
Related Recipes
Be sure to try these fun summer recipes next:
If you make this Big Mac pasta salad and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or Tik Tok.
Big Mac Pasta Salad
Equipment
- 1 pan
- 1 pot
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- dash salt
- 1 box pasta (gluten free if needed)
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 cup romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 7 pickles
- 2 tbsp green onion
- 10 oz burger sauce
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Season ground beef and cook in a pan over med-high heat until browned.
- While beef is cooking, make pasta according to instructions.
- Chop vegetables.
- Once pasta and beef are cooled, add to a bowl and pour in vegetables.
- Add sauce on the top and combine. Enjoy!
Do you have any favorite burger sauces you use?
Chosen Foods and Primal Kitchen have burger sauces with great ingredients (note: they both contain egg). You can also make your own! https://sweetsimplevegan.com/vegan-big-mac-sauce/