Description
This refreshing Spaghetti Salad Recipe is a perfect cold pasta dish ideal for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a light meal. It features al dente spaghetti tossed with fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, and black olives, all coated in a zesty Italian dressing and topped with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Chilled to blend the flavors, it offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes, making it a crowd-pleasing American classic that’s easy to prepare and versatile to customize.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 ounces spaghetti (cooked al dente and cooled)
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cucumber (diced)
- 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 cup black olives (sliced)
Dressing and Seasoning
- 1/2 cup Italian-style salad dressing
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the noodles thoroughly.
- Combine Ingredients. In a large bowl, add the cooled spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, green and red bell peppers, and sliced black olives. Mix gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Dressing and Seasoning. Pour the Italian-style salad dressing over the combined ingredients. Toss the salad carefully to coat all components evenly. Then add the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss again to ensure even distribution.
- Chill the Salad. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour. This chilling allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste.
- Serve. Before serving, give the salad a good stir to redistribute ingredients and flavors. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve cold.
Notes
- This salad can be made a day ahead and tastes even better the next day as the flavors fully develop.
- For a heartier dish, consider adding cubed cheese, pepperoni slices, or cooked chicken to the salad.
- If gluten-free is needed, substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta.
