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Italian Spaghetti Salad

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🍝 Beat the summer heat with this refreshing spaghetti salad that combines pasta, crisp vegetables, and zesty Italian dressing in just minutes of prep time
πŸ₯— Create the perfect crowd-pleasing dish for picnics, potlucks, and weeknight dinners that gets better as it chills in the refrigerator

  • Total Time: 2 hours 37 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

– 1 pound (about 454 grams) spaghetti noodles

– 1 green pepper, diced (optional)

– 1 red pepper, diced (optional)

– Β½ red onion, thinly sliced

– 1 cucumber, sliced (preferably English cucumber or peeled if standard)

– 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved (cherry tomatoes can be used)

– 2.25 ounce (approximately 64 grams) can sliced olives, drained (optional, can substitute with sliced banana peppers)

– Β½ cup cheddar cheese, cubed (or mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack as alternatives)

– ΒΌ cup additional cheese (optional)

– 1 tablespoon salad seasoning blend (optional)

– 1 teaspoon garlic powder

– 16 ounces (about 473 milliliters) Italian dressing of your choice

Instructions

1-First Step: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.

2-Second Step: While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables by halving cherry tomatoes, slicing black olives, dicing cucumber, finely chopping red onion, and chopping fresh basil. For dietary adjustments, consider substituting any vegetables or adding preferred seasonal options.

3-Third Step: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti with the prepared vegetables. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.

4-Fourth Step: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper to create the dressing. Adjust ingredient amounts for low-calorie or different flavor preferences.

5-Fifth Step: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients.

6-Sixth Step: Add crumbled feta cheese (or vegan substitute) and gently mix to incorporate.

7-Final Step: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature, making it adaptable for different occasions and preferences.

Last Step:

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Notes

🧊 Soak sliced raw onions in ice water for 10 minutes to reduce their pungency before adding to the salad
πŸ§€ Feel free to substitute cheddar cheese with mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack based on your preference
⏰ This salad tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or making ahead for gatherings

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Chilling Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Italian/American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6 of recipe)
  • Calories: 125
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 79mg
  • Fat: 3g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.2g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg