Description
A vibrant and refreshing Spaghetti Salad perfect for potlucks and summer gatherings, combining al dente spaghetti with fresh vegetables, cheeses, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles (broken in half)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- ½ red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 English cucumber (sliced)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 2.25 ounce can sliced black olives (drained)
- ½ cup cheddar cheese (cut into small cubes)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Italian Dressing
- 1 ½ cups extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the pasta and toss to prevent sticking. Refrigerate until cool.
- Prepare Vegetables and Cheese: In a large bowl, combine halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, diced green and red bell peppers, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, cubed cheddar cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Make Dressing and Toss Salad: In a separate bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, dried basil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste until well combined. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Cook spaghetti al dente to ensure it maintains a nice texture in the salad.
- Use fresh vegetables for the best flavor and crunch.
- The salad tastes best after chilling for a few hours to let the dressing fully infuse all ingredients.
- You can substitute store-bought Italian dressing if short on time.
- Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil for extra freshness if desired.
