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California Spaghetti Salad

A refreshing and vibrant spaghetti salad featuring fresh vegetables and a tangy Italian dressing, perfect for warm weather gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 1 pound spaghetti Cooked al dente
Vegetables
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
Dressing and Seasoning
  • 1.5 cups Italian dressing
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese For serving or garnish
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool, then let drain thoroughly.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables: halve the tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.
Mixing
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti with the vegetables.
  2. Pour in the Italian dressing and add the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Chilling and Serving
  1. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if necessary. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, or longer for better flavor.
  2. Toss again before serving and add more dressing if needed.

Notes

Serve chilled or at room temperature. This salad can be made ahead of time and lasts up to 3 days in the refrigerator. For added flavor, let sit in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. You can mix in cooked chicken, tuna, or chickpeas for added protein.