If you’re looking for a side dish that screams fresh, colorful, and absolutely bursting with flavor, Spaghetti Salad is your new picnic best friend. This chilled pasta salad combines al dente noodles, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, peppers, olives, and tangy Italian dressing for a dish that honestly steals the spotlight at any gathering. One bite and you’ll understand why Spaghetti Salad is so easy to love: it’s picnic and potluck magic, endlessly customizable, and basically a party in your mouth!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is all about simple ingredients coming together in perfect harmony. Each one brings its own unique texture, vibrant color, or punchy flavor, making Spaghetti Salad the joyful, satisfying dish it is.
- Spaghetti noodles (12 oz, broken in half): Breaking them makes the salad easier to serve and eat.
- Cherry tomatoes (1 ½ cups, halved): These provide pops of juicy sweetness and vibrant color.
- Cucumber (1, diced): Adds crunch and a cool refreshing flavor that balances the pasta.
- Green bell pepper (1, diced): Brings a bright, slightly grassy note and extra crunch.
- Red onion (½, thinly sliced): A hint of sharpness and color contrast – slice thin for best results.
- Black olives (½ cup, sliced): Salty, savory, and rich – they stand out in every bite!
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup, optional): Totally optional, but it adds a creamy and tangy finish if you love cheese.
- Italian dressing (1 bottle, 16 oz): The secret shortcut to tons of flavor with zero fuss.
- Garlic powder (1 tsp): Gives the salad that gentle garlicky depth without being overpowering.
- Onion powder (1 tsp): Boosts savoriness and unites all the veggie flavors beautifully.
- Dried oregano (1 tsp): A must for that classic Italian taste and herby aroma.
- Salt and black pepper (to taste): Let all the fresh veggies shine and balance out the flavors.
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional): Bright green and fresh, perfect for finishing touch flair.
How to Make Spaghetti Salad
Step 1: Cook and Cool Your Spaghetti
Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil, toss in the spaghetti noodles, and cook them just until al dente. Once drained, rinse the noodles under cold water immediately. This stops the cooking dead in its tracks and ensures your Spaghetti Salad stays delightfully firm rather than mushy. Let the noodles cool fully before moving on – it’s worth the wait!
Step 2: Prep and Combine the Veggies
While your spaghetti is cooling, grab your biggest mixing bowl and start piling in the colorful veggies! Halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced green bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion, and black olives all go in, plus the shredded cheddar cheese if you’re feeling cheesy. The pile of fresh ingredients already looks irresistible at this stage.
Step 3: Toss It All Together
Once your spaghetti has cooled, add the noodles to the bowl with your veggies. Pour the entire bottle of Italian dressing over the top, then sprinkle on the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a hearty toss until every noodle is coated and flecked with those vibrant veggies and zesty spices.
Step 4: Chill for Maximum Flavor
Cover the bowl and slide it into the fridge for at least one hour (longer if you can stand to wait!). This step is where the flavors really meld. The dressing seeps into every noodle, and the veggies mingle for a Spaghetti Salad that’s next-level tasty. Give it another good stir just before serving, and top with fresh parsley if you like.
How to Serve Spaghetti Salad
Garnishes
A shower of chopped fresh parsley or basil adds beautiful color and a fresh finish—especially if you’re serving Spaghetti Salad at a summertime table. For extra style, add a few halved cherry tomatoes or even some crumbled feta or sliced pepperoncini right before serving.
Side Dishes
Spaghetti Salad is brilliantly versatile, making it the dream companion to grilled chicken, burgers, barbecue, or juicy summer sandwiches. It’s also right at home alongside hot dogs at a backyard cookout or as a refreshing counterpoint to spicy dishes.
Creative Ways to Present
Take Spaghetti Salad up a notch by serving it in individual mason jars for picnic-perfect portions, piling it high in a wide colorful platter, or nestling it inside crisp lettuce cups. For parties, you can even offer an “add your own toppings” salad bar with extra cheeses, meats, or fresh herbs.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Spaghetti Salad keeps fabulously in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. In fact, the flavors develop overnight – you might find it tastes even better on day two! Just give it a gentle toss before serving to revive everything.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for Spaghetti Salad, since the pasta and veggies can turn mushy after thawing. The fresh, crisp texture is part of the magic, so enjoy this dish in the days after preparing for best results.
Reheating
Spaghetti Salad is meant to be served chilled or at room temperature. No need to reheat! If you’d like to serve it warmer (not typical, but you do you!), let it sit out at room temp for about 30 minutes, but avoid microwaving to keep those veggies crisp.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta in Spaghetti Salad?
Absolutely! While traditional spaghetti gives this salad its name and classic appeal, you can swap in rotini, penne, or even gluten-free pasta to suit your preferences or accommodate dietary needs.
Is Spaghetti Salad vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegetarian as written. Just make sure your Italian dressing is vegetarian-friendly, and feel free to leave out the cheese if you’re avoiding dairy.
How far ahead can I make Spaghetti Salad for a party?
You can prepare Spaghetti Salad a day in advance and chill it overnight, making it a fantastic make-ahead dish for busy gatherings. In fact, advance chilling makes it even tastier!
Can I add protein to make this a main dish?
Definitely! Slices of grilled chicken, cubes of salami or pepperoni, chickpeas, or even flaked tuna turn Spaghetti Salad from side dish to main event. Just mix in your favorites and enjoy.
What’s the best way to prevent my Spaghetti Salad from drying out?
If your salad seems a bit dry after chilling, simply drizzle on a splash more Italian dressing and give it a quick toss before serving. The pasta absorbs a lot as it sits, so having extra dressing on hand is always a plus.
Final Thoughts
Once you toss together this vibrant, zesty Spaghetti Salad, you’ll understand why it’s a warm-weather staple and a surefire crowd-pleaser. It’s easy, endlessly tweakable, and shares that irresistible “just one more bite” energy at every table. Give it a try for your next get-together or meal prep session—you’ll be hooked!
Print
Spaghetti Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and flavorful Spaghetti Salad perfect for summer gatherings or as a light meal. This cold pasta salad is loaded with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and olives, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing with a hint of herbs and spices.
Ingredients
Spaghetti Salad:
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles, broken in half
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1 (16 oz) bottle Italian dressing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti until al dente, then rinse under cold water and let cool.
- Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, combine spaghetti with tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, olives, and cheese.
- Add dressing and seasonings: Pour Italian dressing over the salad, add garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour. Before serving, garnish with parsley and mix again.
Notes
- This salad tastes even better the next day.
- Customize with salami, pepperoni, or feta.
- Use gluten-free spaghetti for a gluten-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
