Description
A refreshing and colorful California Spaghetti Salad combining al dente spaghetti with fresh vegetables, black olives, Parmesan cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfectly chilled and seasoned with sesame seeds, paprika, and celery seed, this salad is a vibrant, easy-to-make dish ideal for summer gatherings or light meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti, broken in half
Vegetables & Add-ins
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, drained
Cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing & Seasonings
- 1 bottle (16 oz) Italian dressing
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon celery seed
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the broken spaghetti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Combine ingredients: Transfer the cooled spaghetti to a large bowl. Add halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion, drained sliced black olives, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add dressing and seasonings: Pour the entire bottle of Italian dressing over the salad. Sprinkle in the sesame seeds, paprika, celery seed, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything well to ensure the salad is evenly coated and the seasonings are distributed.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to develop a refreshing taste.
- Serve and garnish: Before serving, toss the salad again to redistribute the dressing and seasonings. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired for an added burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- This salad is best made ahead and served chilled for the freshest flavor.
- You can substitute store-bought Italian dressing with a homemade version if preferred.
- Optional additions like diced avocado, shredded carrots, or cubed cheese can be added for extra texture and taste.
