Big Mac Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pound pasta, cooked, drained and rinsed in cold water (I used elbow macaroni)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, pork, etc.)
• 2 tablespoons hamburger seasoning
• 1 small onion (about 1/2 cup), diced
• 1/2 cup diced dill pickles (chips, spears, slices – whatever you prefer)
• 1 bag (8 ounces) shredded lettuce
• 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 bottle (16 ounces) Thousand Island dressing
• Salt, pepper and additional hamburger seasoning, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground meat in olive oil until no longer pink, sprinkling with hamburger seasoning along the way; drain excess grease and set aside to cool.
2. In a large bowl, add the onions, pickles, lettuce, cheese and cooled hamburger, stirring until combined.
3. Gently fold in the pasta until well mixed.
4. Pour in about 3/4 of the bottle of Thousand Island dressing, stirring gently until everything is evenly coated. Add more dressing, as needed, until the mixture reaches your desired consistency (amount will also vary depending on what kind of pasta is being used).
5. Taste the salad and add salt, pepper and/or more hamburger seasoning to taste.
6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving alongside your favorite sandwich, grilled meats or other entree.