This Cheeseburger Pasta Salad is a hearty, flavorful twist on the classic pasta salad. With ground beef, cheddar cheese, pickles, fresh veggies, and a creamy burger-inspired dressing, it delivers all the flavors of a cheeseburger in a refreshing and satisfying cold dish. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a fun weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines the flavors of a cheeseburger with the comfort of pasta salad
- Fresh, crunchy veggies balance the savory beef and cheese
- Easy to prepare ahead and serve chilled
- A crowd-pleasing dish for gatherings, parties, or family meals
- Customizable with toppings and sauces to suit your taste
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Pasta Salad
- 8 oz whole wheat pasta
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chopped pickles
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Burger Sauce Dressing
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tbsp ketchup
Directions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and toss with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper until soft and fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until fully browned. Season with more salt and pepper. Drain any excess oil and set aside to cool.
- Chop cherry tomatoes, red onion, pickles, and lettuce.
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise and ketchup until smooth to make the dressing.
- Once pasta and beef are cooled, combine pasta with about 1 ½ cups of the beef mixture (adjust to preference).
- Add cherry tomatoes, red onion, pickles, lettuce, and cheddar cheese. Toss everything together.
- Pour in the burger sauce dressing and mix until well coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 6 people.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 30 minutes (optional, for best flavor)
Total time: 30–45 minutes
Variations
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
- Swap cheddar with American, pepper jack, or mozzarella cheese.
- Stir in avocado chunks for creaminess.
- Spice it up with jalapeños or hot sauce in the dressing.
Storage/Reheating
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Best served cold or at room temperature.
- Do not freeze, as lettuce and tomatoes won’t hold up well.
- If storing, keep the dressing separate and mix just before serving for maximum freshness.
FAQs
Can I serve this pasta salad warm?
Yes, it can be served warm or chilled, but it’s traditionally enjoyed cold like a pasta salad.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, it’s great for meal prep. Just keep the dressing separate until serving.
What type of pasta works best?
Whole wheat pasta is used here, but rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni work perfectly.
Can I use store-bought burger sauce?
Yes, you can substitute with bottled burger sauce, Thousand Island, or special sauce.
How do I keep the lettuce fresh in the salad?
Add lettuce just before serving to prevent it from wilting.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, use plant-based ground meat or simply omit the beef and increase the veggies.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely—this recipe scales up easily and is perfect for potlucks.
What cheese is best for this recipe?
Cheddar is classic, but American cheese gives it that true cheeseburger taste.
Can I use dill pickles or sweet pickles?
Either works—choose based on your flavor preference.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together?
Toss with a little olive oil after draining to keep the pasta from clumping.
Conclusion
Cheeseburger Pasta Salad is the ultimate mashup of comfort food and fresh summer salad. With all the flavors of a cheeseburger tossed into a hearty pasta base, it’s filling, flavorful, and always a crowd favorite. Whether for a weeknight dinner, summer barbecue, or meal prep, this pasta salad is sure to impress.
Print
Cheeseburger Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 30–45 mins
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
Cheeseburger Pasta Salad combines all the flavors of a juicy cheeseburger—savory beef, cheddar cheese, pickles, fresh veggies, and a creamy burger-inspired dressing—tossed into a hearty pasta salad. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or weeknight dinners, this chilled dish is fun, flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
8 oz whole wheat pasta
1 small onion, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
½ cup chopped cherry tomatoes
¼ cup chopped red onion
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup chopped pickles
½ cup shredded lettuce
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 ½ tbsp ketchup
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, toss with olive oil, and set aside to cool.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté chopped onion and garlic with salt and pepper until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess oil and let cool.
- Chop cherry tomatoes, red onion, pickles, and lettuce.
- Mix mayonnaise and ketchup in a small bowl to make the burger sauce dressing.
- Once cooled, combine pasta with about 1 ½ cups of the beef mixture.
- Add tomatoes, red onion, pickles, lettuce, and cheddar cheese. Toss well.
- Pour in the burger sauce dressing and stir to coat.
- Chill for 30 minutes or serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter option, swap beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Use American cheese for a more classic cheeseburger taste.
- Add avocado chunks or jalapeños for extra flavor twists.
- Keep dressing separate until serving if preparing ahead.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop & Tossed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
