Description
A delicious and dairy-free Cheeseburger Pasta Salad featuring vegan ground beef, pasta, fresh veggies, and a tangy homemade burger sauce. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal or potluck dish that combines the best flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a refreshing pasta salad format.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 16 ounces dried noodles of choice (campanelle or elbow macaroni)
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- 12 ounces vegan ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Burger Sauce
- 1 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 6 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1/4 cup reserved starchy pasta water
Salad Add-ins
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 1/2 cups dill pickle spears, chopped
- 1 cup white onion, chopped
- 1 cup vegan cheddar cheese shreds
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
- Fresh minced parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down and set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat avocado oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the vegan ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Make Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine vegan mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, mustard, and the reserved pasta water. Whisk together until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta with 3/4 of the burger sauce. Add the cooked vegan ground beef, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped pickles, white onion, and vegan cheddar cheese shreds. Toss gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours to let flavors meld.
- Serve: Just before serving, add shredded lettuce and the remaining burger sauce to the salad. Toss everything together until well mixed. Garnish with additional vegan cheddar cheese shreds, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh minced parsley if desired. Serve chilled.
Notes
- For best texture, make sure to cool the pasta with cold water to prevent it from sticking and becoming mushy.
- The reserved pasta water adds starchy moisture that helps the burger sauce adhere better to the pasta.
- You can customize the vegan ground beef substitute to your preference or use plant-based crumbles from your favorite brand.
- Refrigerate the assembled salad for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavor combinations before serving.
- To add extra crunch, consider including finely chopped celery or bell peppers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
