Description
This refreshing Spaghetti Salad is a perfect blend of al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, savory salami, and tangy Italian dressing, tossed with parmesan and fresh herbs. Ideal for potlucks, picnics, or as a light meal, it’s a colorful and flavorful dish that can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb spaghetti
Vegetables & Add-ins
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 large cucumbers, halved and sliced
- 1 cup salami slices, quartered
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 2 cans ripe olives (2-¼ ounces each), sliced and drained
Cheese & Herbs
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Dressing & Seasoning
- 1 ½ cups Italian salad dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse thoroughly under cold water to halt cooking and prevent it from sticking.
- Drain Pasta: Allow the pasta to drain completely until very dry to avoid excess moisture in the salad.
- Prepare the Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, halve the grape tomatoes, slice the cucumbers and red onion, dice the bell pepper, quarter the salami slices, and slice and drain the olives. Grate the parmesan cheese and chop the parsley and basil.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared vegetables, salami, herbs, and grated parmesan cheese. Add the drained and cooled spaghetti on top.
- Add Dressing and Toss: Pour the Italian salad dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
- Make sure to drain and dry the pasta well to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor.
- The salad can be made a few hours ahead and refrigerated for even better flavor.
- Feel free to substitute salami with pepperoni or another cured meat as desired.
- Adjust the amount of dressing depending on your taste preference.
