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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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