Description
California Spaghetti Salad is a refreshing and colorful pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables, tangy Italian dressing, and a hint of Parmesan cheese. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a light meal, this chilled spaghetti salad combines a variety of veggies and flavorful seasonings for a satisfying dish that’s best when allowed to chill and meld for a few hours.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400-500 grams of spaghetti
Vegetables
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 2 zucchinis, cubed
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 can of sliced black olives, drained
Dressing & Seasonings
- 1 bottle of Italian dressing
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon celery seeds
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down, then set aside.
- Prepare Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, cubed zucchinis, diced green and red peppers, diced red onion, and drained black olives.
- Make Dressing Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, paprika, celery seeds, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Combine Pasta and Vegetables: Add the cooled spaghetti to the bowl with the vegetable mixture, tossing gently to mix.
- Add Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the spaghetti and vegetables, gently tossing again to evenly coat all ingredients.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Toss and Serve: Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
Notes
- For best results, let the salad chill for at least 3 hours or overnight to enhance flavor development.
- Feel free to add cooked chicken or tofu for a protein boost.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more paprika or garlic powder if desired.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti to cater to dietary preferences.
