Italian Spaghetti Salad
Brighten your summer gatherings with this Italian Spaghetti Salad, a refreshing summer salad that’s bursting with vibrant flavors and colorful veggies. Combining tender thin spaghetti with crisp tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and bell peppers, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing, this dish is a crowd-pleaser for BBQs, potlucks, or light lunches. Ready in just 20 minutes (plus chilling time), this Italian Spaghetti Salad is easy to prepare, make-ahead friendly, and perfect for warm-weather dining. Follow our simple recipe to create this versatile summer salad that’s as delicious as it is eye-catching!
Ingredients
- 16 oz thin spaghetti halved
- 3 medium tomatoes diced
- 3 small zucchini diced
- 1 large cucumber halved, seeded, and diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 8 oz Italian salad dressing store-bought or homemade
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 1/2 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp celery seed
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook 16 oz thin spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool. Set aside.
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine 3 diced tomatoes, 3 diced zucchini, 1 diced cucumber, 1 diced green bell pepper, and 1 diced red bell pepper.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 8 oz Italian salad dressing, 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, 1 1/2 tsp sesame seeds, 1 1/2 tsp poppy seeds, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp celery seed, and 1/8 tsp garlic powder until well blended.
- Toss the Salad: Add the cooled spaghetti to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld, or overnight for maximum taste.Serve: Toss lightly before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley (if desired) and serve chilled as a refreshing summer salad.
Notes
- Cool Pasta Thoroughly: Rinse spaghetti with cold water to stop cooking and prevent stickiness.
- Uniform Dicing: Chop vegetables evenly for a balanced texture and presentation in this summer salad.
- Chill for Flavor: Let the salad refrigerate for at least 2 hours to enhance the zesty dressing’s taste.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use ripe, fresh vegetables for the best flavor and crunch.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the dressing before tossing and tweak spices or Parmesan to suit your preference.