Easy Summer Spaghetti Salad Recipe: Twirl into Freshness

Crafting a delightful spaghetti salad brings unexpected joy to summer gatherings.

Colorful vegetables and tender pasta create a refreshing combination that surprises everyone at the table.

Crisp ingredients dance together, promising cool comfort on warm afternoons.

Mediterranean flavors merge seamlessly with classic Italian traditions in this simple dish.

Each forkful carries a blend of textures that will make you smile.

Quick to assemble and packed with vibrant ingredients, this recipe becomes an instant favorite.

Highlights of Spaghetti Salad Everyone Will Enjoy

• Breeze Through Preparation: This spaghetti salad comes together with minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners or busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Feast: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping vegetables, trying different cheeses, or adding protein like grilled chicken for a personalized touch that keeps the dish exciting and fresh.
• Pack and Go Friendly: Ideal for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings, this salad travels well and tastes even better after the flavors have mingled, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser for any social event.
• Nutritious and Delightful: Packed with fresh vegetables, protein-rich feta, and a zesty dressing, this recipe offers a balanced meal that satisfies taste buds while providing essential nutrients in every colorful bite.

What You’ll Need for Spaghetti Salad Bowl

• Spaghetti: A classic long pasta that provides the base for this refreshing summer salad.

• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps bind the flavors together.
• Lemon Juice: Brings brightness and tanginess to the salad.
• Honey: Provides a subtle sweetness to balance the acidic components.
• Italian Seasoning: Offers a blend of herbs that enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers: Fresh vegetables that add crunch and juiciness to the salad.
• Red Onion, Olives: Provide sharp and briny notes that complement the other ingredients.

• Feta Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese that adds a Mediterranean touch.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the flavors of the salad.

How to Make Spaghetti Salad from Scratch

Step 1: Boil and Cool Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook until perfectly al dente following package guidance.

Quickly drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Drain thoroughly to remove excess moisture.

Step 2: Whip Up Vibrant Dressing

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• Honey
• Italian herb blend

Whisk ingredients until smoothly combined. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.

Step 3: Chop and Marinate Vegetables

• Cherry tomatoes
• Crisp cucumbers
• Red onion
• Kalamata olives

Add chopped vegetables directly into the dressing. Gently toss to ensure every piece gets coated, allowing vegetables to soak up the zesty flavors while pasta cools.

Step 4: Combine and Toss

Add cooled spaghetti and crumbled feta cheese to the vegetable mixture. Use tongs or a large fork to thoroughly mix, ensuring each strand of pasta gets coated with dressing and mingled with vegetables.

Step 5: Final Flavor Adjustment

Take a taste and adjust seasonings. Sprinkle additional salt, crack some black pepper, or squeeze extra lemon juice to brighten the overall taste.

Serve chilled or at room temperature for maximum enjoyment.

Best Tips for Making Spaghetti Salad Work

• Rinse spaghetti with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping, ensuring a crisp texture for your salad.
• Let vegetables marinate in the dressing while pasta cooks to enhance their taste and allow them to absorb the tangy, herbal notes.
• Use room temperature feta for better flavor distribution and smoother mixing throughout the salad.
• Prepare this salad a few hours in advance to let flavors meld, making it an ideal make-ahead dish for picnics or potlucks.
• Swap regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising taste.

Tasty Twists for Classic Spaghetti Salad Recipe

• Pesto Paradise: Replace Italian seasoning with fresh basil pesto, adding extra green herbs for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Protein Punch: Mix in grilled chicken strips or chickpeas for a protein-rich version that transforms the salad into a complete meal.
• Spicy Southwest Spaghetti: Swap feta with pepper jack cheese, add diced jalapeños, and incorporate corn kernels for a zesty southwestern spin.
• Mediterranean Seafood Edition: Incorporate fresh grilled shrimp or canned tuna, replacing some vegetables with capers and roasted red peppers for a seafood-inspired variation.

What to Serve with Spaghetti Salad Today

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the tangy lemon and fresh vegetable notes in the spaghetti salad.
• Serve Mediterranean Appetizers: Offer grilled halloumi cheese, marinated artichoke hearts, or hummus with pita bread to enhance the Mediterranean flavor profile of the dish.
• Match Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or oregano over the salad to elevate the herbal undertones and add vibrant green color and aromatic complexity.
• Create Protein Side Option: Add grilled chicken or shrimp on the side to transform the light salad into a more substantial meal that provides additional protein and depth.

How to Keep Spaghetti Salad Fresh Longer

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the salad chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.

Avoid freezing spaghetti salad as the pasta and vegetables will lose texture and become mushy when thawed, compromising the dish’s quality.

Gently warm the salad at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. If desired, add a splash of olive oil to restore moisture and revive the flavors.

Toss the cold salad gently before serving to redistribute the dressing and reinvigorate the ingredients’ taste and appearance.

FAQs

• Is this spaghetti salad served cold or hot?

This spaghetti salad is served cold, making it a perfect refreshing dish for summer gatherings or as a light meal.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this salad a few hours in advance. Just add the feta cheese right before serving to keep its texture fresh and prevent it from getting soggy.

• What can I do if I don't have Italian seasoning?

You can easily substitute Italian seasoning with a mix of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary in equal proportions to create a similar flavor profile.

• Is this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, this spaghetti salad is completely vegetarian and can be easily adapted to suit different dietary preferences by using plant-based ingredients.

Spaghetti Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Delightful spaghetti salad brings Mediterranean zest to your summer table, combining tangy herbs and crisp vegetables. Cool pasta perfection awaits you with this refreshing dish that sings of sunshine and simple culinary joy.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) spaghetti
• 12 ounces (340 grams) cherry tomatoes (red and yellow, sliced in half)
• 2 medium cucumbers (sliced)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) crumbled feta cheese

Vegetables and Olives:

• 1/3 cup red onion (chopped)
• 1/3 cup black olives (sliced)
• 1/3 cup green olives (sliced)

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Boil water in a large pot and cook spaghetti for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking process, then drain completely.
2. Create vibrant dressing by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Italian seasoning in a spacious mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper, ensuring smooth, balanced flavor profile.
3. Chop cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and slice olives directly into dressing. Gently toss vegetables to coat, allowing them to marinate and release natural juices while pasta cools.
4. Add chilled spaghetti to vegetable mixture, then crumble feta cheese over the top. Carefully fold ingredients together, ensuring even distribution of dressing and vegetables throughout pasta.
5. Perform final taste test, adjusting seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice to enhance overall flavor complexity. Chill for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.

Notes

• Rinse pasta thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients like ripe cherry tomatoes and crisp cucumbers to elevate the salad’s overall flavor profile.
• Customize the salad by swapping feta for vegan cheese alternatives or adding protein like grilled chicken for a more substantial meal.
• Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop a more complex taste experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 243 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 327 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg