If you’re trying to amend your carnivorous habit and neither bun nor the beach is within reach, Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad is the next best thing to a “cheeseburger in paradise.” A bed of buttery, fluffy pasta is the vessel for this fun twist on the classic American creation. It’s topped with everything Jimmy sings about: a big hunk of flavorful ground beef, crispy onions, crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and savory cheddar cheese. These tasty ingredients swim in a sweet and creamy mayo-ketchup dressing that you might even want to dip your french-fried potatoes in. You’ll be asking, “Which way do I steer?” to anchor your fork into some Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad!
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 12 ounces whole-wheat pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 large cloves of garlic, chopped
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup pickles, chopped
- 1/2 cup lettuce, shredded
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
Directions
Step 1 –Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the water from the pasta and place the pasta in a large bowl. Set aside to cool.
Step 2 –While the pasta is cooking, in a pan over medium heat, add the olive oil, onion, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 3 –Sauté the veggie mixture until soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 4 –Add the ground beef to the veggie mixture, crumbling while cooking until no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Season the cooked meat with more salt and pepper.
Step 5 –Drain the excess grease from the meat and place the meat in another bowl to cool.
Step 6 –Add the cooled meat mixture, tomatoes, red onion, pickles, lettuce, and cheddar cheese to the cooled pasta. Stir to combine.
Step 7 –In a small bowl, stir the ketchup and mayonnaise until smooth.
Step 8 –Pour the dressing over the salad.
Step 9 –Plate and serve.