California Spaghetti Salad
This California Spaghetti Salad is a refreshing and zesty pasta dish. It's loaded with fresh vegetables, spaghetti, and a tangy Italian dressing, making it the perfect side for picnics, potlucks, or an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 large cucumber (diced)
- ½ red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 can (6 ounces) black olives, sliced and drained
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
For the Dressing
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted water, cook the spaghetti until it's al dente, following the package instructions. Drain it well and rinse with cold water.
- Prepare the Veggies: While your pasta cooks, chop all your vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes and dice the cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil until they are well combined.
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, mix the cooled spaghetti, chopped vegetables, sliced black olives, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pour the dressing over the top.
- Toss and Chill: Gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with dressing. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before you serve, give the salad a final toss and garnish with fresh parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For the best flavor, let the salad marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Feel free to add grilled chicken or chickpeas to make this a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- If the salad seems dry after storing, add a little extra dressing to liven it up.
- Any short pasta like rotini or penne can be used instead of spaghetti.