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Big Mac Pasta Salad Recipe

Big Mac Pasta Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 15 reviews

This Big Mac Pasta Salad is a creative and healthy twist on the classic McDonald’s Big Mac, featuring lean ground beef, chickpea pasta, fresh vegetables, and a creamy, flavorful dressing inspired by the iconic burger sauce. It’s a delicious, protein-packed pasta salad perfect for lunches, picnics, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

  • 1 lb 96% lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 8 oz dry chickpea pasta (e.g., Banza)
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/3 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese (2%, 56g), shredded or cubed
  • 1/3 cup dill pickles, diced

For the Dressing

  • 3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt (170g)
  • 1/4 cup light mayonnaise (60g)
  • 4 tbsp no-sugar-added ketchup (64g)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp yellow mustard (20g)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp dill pickle juice
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika

Optional Garnish

  • White sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it’s fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks to ensure even browning.
  2. Season the Beef: Stir in Worcestershire sauce along with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well, then remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  3. Prepare the Pasta: Cook the chickpea pasta following the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and then set it aside to cool completely.
  4. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the nonfat Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, no-sugar-added ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
  5. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked ground beef, grape tomatoes, diced dill pickles, sharp cheddar cheese, and red onion. Pour in the prepared dressing and toss everything together until well coated.
  6. Serve: Just before serving, gently fold in the chopped romaine lettuce to keep it crisp and fresh. Sprinkle white sesame seeds on top as an optional garnish for added texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use 96% lean ground beef to keep the salad lower in fat while maintaining flavor.
  • Chickpea pasta adds extra protein and fiber compared to traditional wheat pasta, making this salad more filling and nutritious.
  • Make sure to cool the pasta and beef before mixing with the dressing to prevent wilting the romaine lettuce.
  • If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
  • The dressing can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • For best texture, add romaine lettuce just before serving to keep it crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: Big Mac Pasta Salad, chickpea pasta salad, lean ground beef pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, high protein salad, Big Mac sauce dressing

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/big-mac-pasta-salad-recipe/