Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of summer with this Spaghetti Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing. Bursting with fresh vegetables, savory meats, and a zesty dressing, this dish is a crowd-pleaser for any gathering. With its colorful presentation and delightful taste, it’s perfect for barbecues, picnics, and family dinners. Best of all, it takes just 30 minutes to prepare and can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully in the fridge. Customize it with your favorite proteins or veggies for a unique twist every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz thin spaghetti
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup cucumber
- 1 cup salami (or pepperoni)
- 1 medium green pepper
- ½ small red onion
- ½ cup black olives
- Italian salad dressing (or homemade)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente (usually 1 minute less than recommended). Drain and rinse under cold water. Drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking and refrigerate until cool.
- In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, salami, green pepper, red onion, and black olives.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, basil, lemon juice, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir again.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg