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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad

    Modified: Mar 1, 2025 · Published: May 25, 2023 by Sarah Jenkins. This post may contain affiliate links. See the Privacy Policy at the bottom of this page.

    Jump to Recipe
    jimmy buffett pasta salad.

    Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad is the perfect side for your next summer party. Whole wheat pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, red onion, pickles, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese and paradise island dressing. It's basically a cheeseburger in a bowl!

    Jimmy Buffett Pasta salad in bowl with other ingredients scattered around.

    Want a super simple, delicious pasta salad that’s great for cookouts, perfect as a main dish, and also amazing as a side? Oh, did I mention it’s also FUN? This Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad is it, my friends. It’s basically a cheeseburger, in pasta form. I know that sounds a bit weird, but hear me out.  This pasta salad will surprise you! (Looking for more burger inspired dishes? Check out this healthy recipe for Burgers In A Bowl!)

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • Easy. This is a simple pasta salad that comes together FAST and tastes delicious in the summertime.
    • Great alternative to an actual burger. Don’t get me wrong - I love a great burger. But sometimes it’s nice to switch things up a bit. If you’re looking for an alternative to burgers on the grill, this cheeseburger pasta salad is the way to go. It has all the great taste of a cheeseburger but is a bit lighter than eating a whole burger, and a nice way to reduce your meat content (if that’s something you’re trying to do).
    • FUN! Because I mean, really, is there anything more fun than creating a recipe that’s based off of one of the most fun songs out there? Jimmy Buffett’s “Cheeseburger In Paradise” is a summer classic and I can’t wait to bring this to summer cookouts, backyard barbecues, or even to a Jimmy Buffett tailgate party. 
    Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad In Bowl.

    Key Ingredients & Substitutions

    If you know the famous song, you likely know most of what is in this easy ground beef pasta salad. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Have a listen here. The basic lyrics go something like this: 

    “I like mine with lettuce and tomato

    Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes

    Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer

    Well, good God almighty which way do I steer

    For my….Cheeseburger in paradise”

    Ingredients for jimmy buffett cheeseburger pasta salad.

    So, it stands to reason that this Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad includes:

    • Pasta. You can use whatever type of short pasta you wish. I used a whole wheat fusilli which worked great. I think using whole wheat pasta evokes a bit more of a “bun” taste than a normal refined grain pasta.  
    • Ground beef. I used a lean ground beef here - since this is for a pasta, you don’t want a fatty meat that will create a lot of grease. 
    • Onions. You’ll sautee a small yellow onion (plus a little garlic) with the ground bef and then use a small bit of red onion to mix in to the pasta salad at the end.
    • Cherry tomatoes. Of course. Can’t do a cheeseburger pasta salad with out them! 
    • Pickles. Adds a nice zing.
    • Shredded lettuce. It feels a little weird to put shredded lettuce in a pasta salad, but this additions really adds a little bit of crunch and helps to emulate the classic cheeseburger.
    • Shredded cheddar cheese. This is a “cheeseburger” pasta salad, after all!
    • Ketchup and mayo. This paradise dressing will serve as the dressing for the pasta salad.

    How To Make Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad

    Ready to see how easy this is? Here’s how you make this easy ground beef pasta salad

    1. Start by boiling some pasta. 
    2. While the pasta is boiling, sautee a small yellow onion and some garlic in a medium sized pan until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl.
    3. In the same pan, brown the ground beef. Add the sauteed onion and garlic to the ground beef, cook for a couple minutes more, then remove from heat. 
    4. Once the pasta has finished cooking, drain it and add to the ground beef mixture. 
    5. Toss the chopped tomatoes, red onion, pickles, shredded lettuce and cheese to the cheeseburger pasta salad.
    6. Make the Paradise dressing by combining ketchup, mayo and salt and stirring well. 
    7. Toss the pasta salad with the paradise dressing and serve immediately.
    whole wheat pasta salad with ground beef.
    Whole wheat pasta salad with ground beef, tomatoes, onions and pickles in bowl.
    Cheeseburger pasta salad in bowl.
    Jimmy Buffet Pasta salad in bowl with paradise island dressing.
    Jimmy Buffett cheeseburger pasta salad in bowl.

    Variations And Substitutions

    The ingredients for this salad are pretty classic, but here are some ways to mix it up.

    • Add some different veggies. Personally, I think mushrooms could be great here.
    • Change up the cheese. Try a sharp cheddar or even gouda for a bit of a different taste. Or, make it gourmet by adding blue cheese.
    • Try a different sauce. The classic ketchup and mayo combo is great but this homemade big mac sauce would also work!

    Tips

    1. Serve immediately. Serve this pasta salad immediately. While it still tastes good cold, it’s best served warm. 
    2. Make ahead. This pasta salad is easy to make ahead. However, if you’re going to do that, keep the pasta and ground beef mixture separate from the chopped tomatoes, onions, pickles, shredded lettuce, cheese and paradise dressing. When you’re ready to reheat, heat the ground beef and pasta mixture, then toss the cold ingredients and dressing in afterward. If you try to mix everything together, then reheat, the lettuce will become wilted and the cheese will be completely melted. This will make the texture of the pasta salad a bit too soft. 
    3. Storing the pasta salad. Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad is best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
    4. Reheating. This cheeseburger pasta salad can be reheated in the microwave (on high for 1-2 minutes), or in a 380 degree oven in a shallow baking dish for 10-15 minutes. 
    5. Freezing. Freezing this pasta salad is not recommended. Reheating it will make the ingredients (especially the lettuce) to mushy and watery when reheated after being frozen. 
    Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger pasta salad in bowl with ingredients scattered around.

    What to serve with Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad

    This is a great dish to serve at a backyard summer event. It can be served as a main dish, or as a side to other bbq items or salads. Here are a few ideas:

    • Roasted potatoes 
    • Potato chips
    • Chopped zucchini salad
    • Fresh fruit
    • Kale crunch salad
    • Oven baked parmesan carrot and parsnip fries
    • Cucumber salad with basil, feta, chickpeas and cranberries
    • Easy strawberry spinach salad
    Pasta Salad With Ground Beef In Bowl.

    If you try this Jimmy Buffett Pasta Salad, let me know what you think in the comments below! And don’t forget to tag me @frontrangefed on Instagram so I can see your masterpiece!

    Recipe

    Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad In Bowl.

    Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad

    Author: Sarah Jenkins
    Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger Pasta Salad is the perfect side for your next summer party. Whole wheat pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, red onion, pickles, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese and paradise island dressing. It's basically a cheeseburger in a bowl!
    4.93 from 67 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Pasta, pasta salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 oz whole wheat pasta (I used fusilli)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 lb ground beef
    • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
    • ½ cup red onion, chopped
    • ½ cup pickles, chopped
    • ½ cup lettuce, shredded
    • ¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

    Paradise Island Dressing

    • ½ cup mayo
    • ¼ cup ketchup
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Boil pasta according to package instructions.
    • While the pasta is boiling, add olive oil and chopped onions to a medium-sized skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, until onions become translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
    • In the same pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain the cooking fat from pan, and add the onions and garlic back to the pan. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes.
    • Add the pasta and ground beef mixture to a large bowl.
    • Add the chopped tomatoes, red onion, pickles and lettuce to the pasta.
    • Make the paradise island dressing by combining the mayo, ketchup, and salt. Stir well to combine.
    • Add about ¼ cup of the dressing to the salad (save the rest for using on burgers!). Toss well to evenly coat the pasta.
    • Toss the pasta with shredded cheese.
    • Serve immediately.
    Keyword 20-minute dinner
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
    did you try this recipe? Tag me on Instagram with a pic!

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    Comments

      4.93 from 67 votes (54 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Megan says

      June 23, 2024 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great combo !

      Reply
    2. Krystle says

      June 23, 2024 at 4:05 am

      5 stars
      We've been eating this all week. It's the perfect cool supper on these hot summer days.

      Reply
      • Sarah Jenkins says

        June 24, 2024 at 12:45 pm

        Thank you Krystle!

        Reply
    3. Glenda says

      June 22, 2024 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      So good! A perfect meal salad!

      Reply
    4. Katy says

      June 22, 2024 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      SO delicious and full of flavour - I'll be making this again!

      Reply
    5. laura says

      June 21, 2024 at 11:17 pm

      5 stars
      This was the perfect salad for a bbq, everyone loved it!

      Reply
    6. Allison says

      October 28, 2023 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      Never had anything like this before - but I'm always down for a cheeseburger flavored anything. Was really good - will be making again

      Reply
    7. Jade says

      August 16, 2023 at 7:07 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is a must-try if you're looking for a simple and flavorful pasta dish. It was a crowd-pleaser. The Beefy Pasta salad is a complete meal in itself.

      Reply
    8. Janice says

      August 16, 2023 at 5:55 am

      5 stars
      This Jimmy Buffett cheeseburger pasta salad was so delicious! I recently made these, and my family loves them already! The ingredients create a unique flavor that kept me wanting for more! This recipe is a must-try!

      Reply
    9. Al says

      August 16, 2023 at 1:06 am

      5 stars
      Just made this for dinner and my kids love it so much they're asking to have it again!! They didn't even notice the whole wheat pasta - whew!!! Thank you so much!!

      Reply
    10. claudia says

      August 15, 2023 at 11:59 pm

      5 stars
      I had no choice but to obviously play the song while I made this delicious salad. It was the perfect dish for dinner last night as I had no burger buns in sight but the family wanted burgers! Can't wait to make it again for a fun bbq potluck.

      Reply
    11. Jane says

      August 15, 2023 at 10:35 pm

      5 stars
      I'm always looking for new ways to get my family to eat more salad, and this one really hit the spot! My kids loved it, and so did I!

      Reply
    12. Lisa says

      June 06, 2023 at 2:23 am

      5 stars
      Needed a quick dish to make and tried this tonight!! So good!!! Thanks for sharing this!!

      Reply
      • Sarah Jenkins says

        June 06, 2023 at 2:41 am

        So glad you liked it!!!

        Reply
    13. Monica says

      June 03, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      5 stars
      My family loved this recipe. We made it Memorial Day weekend and it's such a fun dish for summer. Can't wait to have a Jimmy Buffett themed party just to be able to serve this! Haha!

      Reply
      • Sarah Jenkins says

        June 03, 2023 at 7:22 pm

        LOL - yes! It's so fun, right?

        Reply
    Sarah Jenkins

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I love creating dishes based on what's in season and using local ingredients as often as I can. I hope you'll find some new to you recipes here that will inspire you to make something delicious!

    More about me →

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