Description
This vibrant California spaghetti salad brings together fresh, crisp vegetables and tender pasta in a tangy, flavorful dressing. Perfect for summer picnics or family gatherings, it combines sweet cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese, offering a refreshing taste in every bite. Easy to prepare and customizable with your favorite veggies, this dish will quickly become a favorite at any table.
Ingredients
8 oz spaghetti (cooked and drained)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 cup cucumber (diced)
1 cup red bell pepper (diced)
1 cup carrots (shredded)
1/2 cup red onion (finely diced)
1/2 cup black olives (sliced)
1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup Italian dressing
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the Spaghetti:
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.Prepare the Vegetables:
While the pasta is cooling, chop the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, bell pepper, and onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the black olives.Combine Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti, chopped vegetables, olives, and crumbled feta cheese.Dress the Salad:
Drizzle the salad with olive oil and Italian dressing. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Chill and Serve:
Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled.
Notes
Make-Ahead: This salad can be made a day in advance. In fact, the flavors improve as they marinate in the fridge overnight.
Customizations: Feel free to add any of your favorite vegetables such as corn, peas, or even avocado. You can also substitute the Italian dressing for a creamy dressing like ranch if you prefer a richer flavor.
Protein Options: For a more filling meal, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg