Description
This Jimmy Buffett pasta salad tastes just like a cheeseburger in every bite! Packed with beef, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and a special sauce, it’s reminiscent of the hit song!
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz rotini pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups microbial-rennet cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook the rotini pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Sauté aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the yellow onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Brown beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Prepare dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth to make the dressing.
- Combine: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, ground beef mixture, cherry tomatoes, red onion, pickles, lettuce, and cheddar cheese. Pour the dressing over top and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve: Serve the pasta salad immediately while still slightly warm. It can also be chilled and served cold. Garnish with additional shredded cheese and chopped pickles if desired.
Notes
Use lean ground beef (90/10 or leaner) to avoid excess grease. This salad can be prepared separately and stored in the refrigerator before tossing together.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 561 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 875 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: pasta salad, cheeseburger flavors, Jimmy Buffett, American side dish, potluck recipe