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

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.
2. While the pasta is cooking, in a pan over medium heat, add the olive oil, onion, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Sauté the veggie mixture until soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
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.
5. Drain the excess grease from the meat and place the meat in another bowl to cool.
6. Add the cooled meat mixture, tomatoes, red onion, pickles, lettuce, and cheddar cheese to the cooled pasta. Stir to combine.
7. In a small bowl, stir the ketchup and mayonnaise until smooth.
8. Pour the dressing over the salad.
9. Plate and serve.