California Veggie Spaghetti Salad
A vibrant medley of crisp vegetables, tender pasta, and bold Italian flavors, this chilled spaghetti salad offers a refreshing side dish ideal for gatherings, casual dinners, and make-ahead lunches. Its tangy dressing and crunchy texture make it a go-to option for warm-weather dining.
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Servings: 6
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 small red onion finely minced
- 1 can 2.25 oz black olives, sliced and well-drained
- 1 medium green bell pepper chopped into small pieces
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced evenly
- 1 cucumber peeled if desired and chopped into small cubes
- 1 ½ cups grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in halves
- 1 pound of thin spaghetti noodles broken into thirds prior to cooking
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 16- ounce bottle of zesty Italian-style salad dressing
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to personal taste
Instructions
- Fill a large saucepan with water, season it generously with salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti pieces and cook until tender yet firm, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Set aside to cool and drain completely.
- Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, red and green bell peppers, and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes and drain the olives.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables and sliced olives. Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- In a separate container, whisk together the Italian dressing with the Parmesan, sesame seeds, paprika, garlic powder, celery seed, and a touch of salt and pepper until well blended.
- Pour the seasoned dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all components. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. For deeper flavor, let it chill overnight.
- Before serving, stir the salad again to refresh the texture and taste. Adjust seasoning if necessary.