Description
Whip up this vibrant Spaghetti Salad! Al dente pasta meets fresh cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and bell pepper, all cooled for refreshing perfection. Quick instructions & nutrition included.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (16 oz) spaghetti
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (canned), drained
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely. Set aside.
- Step 2: While the spaghetti cools, prepare the fresh vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, peel and dice the cucumber, seed and dice the red bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion. Ensure black olives are sliced and drained.
- Step 3: In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti with the prepared cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, sliced red onion, and sliced black olives.
- Step 4: Pour the Italian dressing over the spaghetti and vegetable mixture. Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl.
- Step 5: Gently toss all the ingredients together until the spaghetti and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing and cheese.
- Step 6: Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Toss again briefly just before serving.
Notes
- To keep your spaghetti salad vibrant, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; add a splash more dressing and a fresh sprinkle of Parmesan if serving beyond the first day.
- This fresh pasta salad shines when served chilled, so skip the microwave! If it's been in the fridge for a while, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving for optimal flavor.
- Serve this versatile spaghetti salad as a vibrant side dish alongside grilled chicken or fish, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light and refreshing weeknight meal.
- Don't skip the refrigeration step; allowing the salad to chill for at least an hour truly lets the Italian dressing's zesty flavors meld beautifully with the fresh vegetables and pasta, creating a more harmonious taste experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx. 250g)
- Calories: 480
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 7g