Description
Classic garden spaghetti salad blends fresh vegetables with al dente pasta for a refreshing summer dish. Mediterranean herbs and zesty vinaigrette create a light, satisfying meal you’ll crave at potlucks and picnics.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup broccoli florets, blanched
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook spaghetti until al dente, then rapidly cool in a colander with cold water to prevent overcooking and maintain optimal texture.
- Vegetable Preparation: Uniformly dice mixed vegetables to create consistent bite-sized pieces that will distribute flavor evenly throughout the salad.
- Mixing Foundation: Combine chilled spaghetti in a large mixing bowl, creating a neutral canvas for the garden-fresh ingredients.
- Ingredient Integration: Delicately incorporate chopped vegetables, olives, and fresh herbs into the pasta, creating a vibrant and colorful composition.
- Dressing and Seasoning: Gently drizzle Italian dressing over the salad, folding carefully to ensure complete coverage without damaging the pasta. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Cheese Enhancement: Optional parmesan cheese sprinkle adds a savory depth and aromatic complexity to the dish.
- Flavor Melding: Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop a harmonious taste experience.
- Final Touch: Before serving, briefly toss the salad to redistribute the dressing and revitalize the ingredients, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Mushiness: Rinse spaghetti immediately with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and maintain perfect al dente texture.
- Uniform Vegetable Cutting: Dice vegetables precisely into same-sized pieces to ensure balanced flavor and consistent bite in every spoonful.
- Flavor Infusion Technique: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour, allowing herbs and dressing to deeply penetrate and enhance overall taste profile.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options, and use vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for alternative dietary preferences while maintaining the garden-fresh essence of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg