Description
Delightful spaghetti salad brings Mediterranean charm to summer gatherings with crisp vegetables and zesty dressing. Cool pasta combines perfectly with fresh herbs, creating a refreshing dish that promises delicious moments and happy shared meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti, cooked & cooled
Fresh Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Cheese and Other Ingredients:
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Instructions
- Submerge the spaghetti strands in a pot of bubbling, salted water, allowing them to dance and soften until they reach an ideal al dente texture. Immediately transfer the noodles to a colander and shower with chilled water, halting the cooking process and preventing clumping.
- Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking together zesty Italian seasoning, tangy lemon essence, aromatic garlic powder, freshly cracked black pepper, and a sprinkle of fiery red pepper flakes in a petite mixing vessel.
- Transform a spacious mixing bowl into a colorful canvas by layering the cooled pasta with juicy diced tomatoes, crisp cucumber chunks, vibrant bell pepper strips, thinly sliced red onion rings, briny black olive slivers, and delicate Parmesan cheese shavings.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetable and pasta medley, gently tossing with a broad utensil to ensure each ingredient is lovingly coated with the bright, herbal mixture. Seal the bowl with a protective cover and nestle into the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify for a minimum of one hour.
- Before serving, scatter fresh parsley fronds across the top and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese, creating a visually appealing and flavor-packed chilled pasta salad ready to delight eager palates.
Notes
- Ensure spaghetti is al dente by testing for a slight firmness to prevent mushy texture when chilled.
- Rinse pasta thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking process and prevent sticking, creating a perfect pasta base for the salad.
- Chop vegetables uniformly for consistent flavor and appealing presentation, allowing each bite to have a balanced mix of ingredients.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives without compromising taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg