California Spaghetti Salad
California Spaghetti Salad is a chilled pasta salad featuring spaghetti noodles, fresh vegetables, black olives, and parmesan cheese, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing for a light and refreshing side dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook after pasta boil
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: chopped parsley or fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled spaghetti with tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, onion, and olives.
- Pour Italian dressing over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and gently mix again.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
- Toss again before serving and garnish with parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent sticking and ensure it’s ready for cold salad.
- Use tri-color bell peppers for extra visual appeal.
- Add cubed mozzarella or feta for extra richness.
- Great made ahead of time for potlucks or picnics.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/california-spaghetti-salad-2/
