Big Mac Pasta Salad

Big Mac Pasta Salad is a fun twist on a summer side dish! Easy cheeseburger pasta salad with McDonald's special secret sauce, topped with sesame seed bun croutons!

PREP TIME: 10 minutes

COOK TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes

YIELD: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

CROUTONS:

2 Sesame Seed Buns, diced

1 tablespoon Canola Oil

1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt

PASTA SALAD:

1 pound Elbow Macaroni Pasta

1/2 pound Ground Beef

1/2 Yellow Onion, diced

1/4 cup Sweet Relish

2 cups Grape Tomatoes, halved

2 cups Lettuce, shredded

1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded

MCDONALD'S BIG MAC SAUCE (COPYCAT):

1 cup Mayonnaise

1/4 cup Creamy French Dressing

2 tablespoons Sweet Relish

1 tablespoon Ketchup

1 teaspoon White Vinegar

1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder

1/8 teaspoon Salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Toss buns with canola oil and spinkle with garlic salt.

3. Add to baking sheet and cook for 6-8 minutes or until toasted.

4. Let cool while pasta cooks.

5. Cook the elbow macaroni pasta according to the directions on the packaging, then rinse under cold water.

6. Add beef and onion to a large skillet and cook on medium-high heat, breaking it apart as you cook. Approximately 6-8 minutes.

7. Let beef cool.

8. Mix all of the ingredients for the McDonald's Big Mac Sauce in a large bowl until fully incorporated.

9. Add the pasta, relish, tomatoes, lettuce, cheddar cheese, and cooled beef to the big mac sauce in the large bowl and toss gently.

10. Top with croutons and serve. (If you toss the croutons into the salad they'll get soggy if it sits for too long.)