Spaghetti Salad Recipe
Enjoy this easy spaghetti salad recipe with fresh veggies and pasta. A colorful, refreshing dish perfect for summer meals, picnics, and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Ingredients
To make this recipe you can make a pasta salad made with spaghetti noodles:
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles broken into thirds or halves to make it easier to serve
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1 cup bell peppers red yellow, red, or green and chopped
- ½ cup of black olives cut into slices
- 1 cup of red onions minced finely
- 1 cup of carrots shredded
- 1 cup of broccoli leaves blanched optional for added crunch
- ½ cup chopped Parmesan cheese or pieces of feta crumbled
Pasta Salad Dressing:
Italian variant:
- ½ cup Italian dressing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- salt and pepper according to your preference
The Creamy variant:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour-cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the spaghetti
- Make a large saucepan of salted water up to a steady simmer. Incorporate spaghetti noodles, and simmer until they are al at a low temperature (firm in the middle). This typically takes 8-10 minutes. Don't overcook it as soft pasta won't hold well in salads. Rinse immediately and drain with cold water in order to end cooking. This is the most important step to make for the best chilled spaghetti recipe.
Prepare your veggies
- When the pasta is cooling, chop and prep all the vegetables you'll need. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for easier eating. This will make the Summer spaghetti salad attractive and practical.
Dress the dressing
- A small jar or bowl combine the ingredients for dressing. Adjust the seasoning to taste and adjust. If you are making ahead, make additional dressing that will refresh salad prior to serving.
Combinate and throw away
- In a large bowl of salad include cooled pasta as well as chopped vegetables and cheese. Sprinkle over the spaghetti salad dressing and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Let flavors simmer and chill mix
- Cover and chill for a minimum of 1-2 hours prior to serving. This lets the flavors blend, creating a delicious recipe to make ahead spaghetti salad.
Video
Notes
Flavor Boosting Tips
- Fresh herbs such as parsley, basil or dill for freshness.
- For an Italian spaghetti salad, toss in sliced salami, pepperoni, or mozzarella balls.
- To make an deliciously creamy spaghetti salad you can use one half mayonnaise, and the other half Greek yogurt to get a lighter but nevertheless rich texture.
- Sprinkle the crushed red pepperflakes to add some heat.