Cheeseburger Pasta Salad

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This summer pasta salad recipe features seasoned ground beef, sharp cheddar, tangy pickles, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp romaine, and red onion, all tossed with tender rotini and smothered in a creamy dressing made with mayo, ketchup, mustard, and a splash of pickle juice. It’s the best kind of summer mashup, a cheeseburger in salad form!

I whipped this up last weekend for a backyard BBQ, and I swear it disappeared faster than the burgers on the grill. My kids couldn’t get enough of it, and even my picky neighbor (the one who turns her nose up at anything “different”) asked for the recipe. It’s the kind of fun, easy cheeseburger pasta salad that makes you feel like Jimmy Buffett is about to start playing in the background. You can even toss in some crispy bacon if you want a bacon cheeseburger pasta salad vibe—total crowd-pleaser!

RELATED: Are you a fan of the iconic flavors of a Big Mac but looking for a healthier alternative? Look no further than the Big Mac Salad Bowl! This delightful dish takes all the familiar tastes of a Big Mac and transforms them into a fresh and nutritious salad that’s perfect for any meal.Packed with lean protein, crisp vegetables, and a homemade tangy special Big Mac sauce, this salad is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation!

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Ingredients you’ll need

For the salad

• Rotini pasta
• Ground beef
• Garlic powder
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Chopped dill pickles
• Chopped red onion
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Yellow mustard
• Pickle juice (right from the jar!)
• Paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Step-by-step instructions for making Cheeseburger Pasta Salad

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Rinse with cold water and set aside.
2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drain the grease and let it cool.

1. Chop the veggies while the beef cools.
2. Make the dressing by whisking together mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, paprika, and a bit of salt and pepper.

1. Combine everything in a large bowl: pasta, beef, veggies, cheese, and lettuce.

1. Pour on the dressing and toss well until everything’s coated.

1. Chill for at least an hour so the flavors can mix and mingle.
2. Give it one last stir before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Make this Cheeseburger Pasta Salad Recipe, then check out my Greek Pasta Salad, my Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad and more of my pasta salad recipes for a crowd.  

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This creamy cheeseburger pasta salad recipe for a crowd is one of those dishes that brings a little joy to your summer table. It’s a tasty, fun, and healthy make-ahead side that everyone will be talking about at the BBQ. Whether you’re serving it at a potluck, packing it for lunch, or just want to shake up your weeknight dinner routine, this might just be the best pasta salad for hamburger night—or any night, really. Grab your fork and dig in!

Creamy Cheeseburger Pasta Salad Recipe

Author: Janice

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Prep 25 minutes mins

A fun twist on classic picnic fare, this Cheeseburger Pasta Salad combines cooked ground beef, cheddar cheese, pickles, cherry tomatoes, and red onion with rotini pasta. A creamy dressing made with mayo, ketchup, and mustard ties it all together for a dish that tastes just like a cheeseburger.

Servings 6 servings

Course Pasta Salad Recipes

Cuisine American

INGREDIENTS

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For the pasta salad:

• ▢ 12 oz rotini pasta
• ▢ 1 lb ground beef
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• ▢ 3/4 cup dill pickle slices (chopped)
• ▢ 1/2 cup red onion (finely chopped)
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ▢ 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce

For the dressing:

• ▢ 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• ▢ 2 tbsp ketchup
• ▢ 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• ▢ 1 tbsp pickle juice (from the jar)
• ▢ 1/2 tsp paprika
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

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1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water; set aside.
   12 oz rotini pasta
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with garlic powder, salt, and pepper until fully browned. Drain excess grease and let cool.
   1 lb ground beef, 1 tsp garlic powder, Salt and pepper to taste
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, pickles, red onion, cheddar cheese, and lettuce.
   1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), 3/4 cup dill pickle slices (chopped), 1/2 cup red onion (finely chopped), 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
   3/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp pickle juice (from the jar), 1/2 tsp paprika, Salt and pepper to taste
5. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to coat evenly.
6. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Stir again before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

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