California Spaghetti Salad

This California spaghetti salad is an absolute explosion of fresh flavors and textures. And it’s one of my new favorite summer recipes!

It combines tender spaghetti with a rainbow of crunchy veggies, including juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and sweet bell peppers. 

But can we talk about this dressing for a second? It’s a tangy, zesty mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Parmesan, and herbs and spices. When you toss it all together, pure magic happens! 

Once you try this salad, it’ll be your new staple, too.

Why You’ll Love This California Spaghetti Salad

Vibrant Presentation: This salad is a feast for the eyes with its colorful mix of cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers.

Make-Ahead Convenience: The salad can be prepared in advance and actually tastes better the next day. It’s an ideal dish for busy schedules and event planning.

Crowd-Pleaser: With its fresh vegetables and zesty dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit at any event. It appeals to a wide range of palates and dietary preferences.

Flavorful Dressing: The homemade dressing adds a rich and tangy flavor that elevates the entire dish.

Ingredients

• Thin Spaghetti: The perfect pasta shape soaks up the zesty Italian dressing.
  
• Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy pops of sweetness brighten every bite.
  
• Cucumber: Cool, crunchy, and refreshing, it adds a delightful texture contrast.
  
• Green and Red Bell Pepper: Colorful and crisp, these peppers bring vibrancy to the salad.
  
• Red Onion: It provides a subtle, sharp bite to balance the flavors.
  
• Black Olives: Briny and bold, they add a savory depth to the dish.
  
• Olive Oil: The luscious base of the homemade Italian dressing.
  
• Red Wine Vinegar: It brings a tangy kick to make the dressing sing.
  
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Nutty, salty, and oh-so-satisfying, it coats every nook and cranny.
  
• Seasonings: I use sesame seeds, dried oregano, garlic powder, paprika, celery seed, salt, and pepper. 

How to Make California Spaghetti Salad

This salad is truly easy-peasy!

1. Cook the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and transfer to a large bowl.

2. Add the vegetables. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red and green bell peppers, diced red onion, and drained sliced black olives to the bowl with the pasta.

3. Make the dressing. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Parmesan, sesame seeds, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, celery seed, salt and pepper.

4. Toss the salad. Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.

5. Refrigerate the salad. Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow flavors to blend.

6. Season and serve. Before serving, toss the salad again. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with additional Parmesan if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tips for the Best California Spaghetti Salad

Follow these tips for a pasta salad everyone will devour.

• Pick the right pasta. Use thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta, broken into small pieces. This allows the pasta to soak up the dressing and meld with the other ingredients.
  
• Cook the pasta properly. Ensure the spaghetti is cooked al dente, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  
• Keep things uniform. Dice the cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion into similar-sized pieces for even distribution and easier eating.
  
• Dress while it’s toasty. Pour the dressing over the pasta while still slightly warm to help the flavors meld better.
  
• Select your seasonings. Taste the salad before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or Parmesan cheese if desired.
  
• Have fun and switch things up. Add cubed cheddar cheese, pepperoni, or dill. For a shortcut, use bottled Italian dressing. Customize the salad by adding vegetables like zucchini, artichoke hearts, or baby spinach. You can also add chicken or beans.

How to Store

Enjoy this salad for easy lunches all week!

To store, place in an air-tight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days. Since pasta absorbs dressing over time, keep some extra dressing on hand to refresh the salad before serving. 

To avoid overly cold, hard noodles, allow the salad to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for optimal texture.