Description
A creamy and flavorful pasta salad that combines the essence of a Big Mac with fresh vegetables, perfect for picnics and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or your choice of pasta)
- 1 cup Thousand Island dressing
- 2 cups green leaf lettuce (or romaine), chopped
- 1 cup diced dill pickles
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sweet or red onions, chopped
- 1 cup ground beef (optional)
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- Fresh herbs (dill or parsley, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water.
- Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles while the pasta cools.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, vegetables, and ground beef, if using.
- Add Thousand Island dressing and mix well to coat.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Stir before serving and garnish with cheddar cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.
Notes
For a healthier version, consider using whole wheat pasta or lean ground turkey.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: pasta salad, summer recipe, Big Mac inspired