Description
This vibrant and refreshing Italian Spaghetti Salad is packed with colorful vegetables, tangy olives, fresh mozzarella, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing. It’s a perfect make-ahead dish for potlucks, picnics, or a light summer meal.
Ingredients
1 pound (450g) spaghetti, or your favorite long pasta shape
1 pint Cherry Tomatoes, halved or quartered
1 large English Cucumber or 2 smaller Persian Cucumbers, diced
1/2 medium Red Onion, thinly sliced or finely chopped
2 mixed Bell Peppers (e.g., red, yellow, or orange), deseeded and diced
1/2 cup Kalamata Olives, pitted and halved
1 can (14 ounces) Artichoke Hearts (packed in water or brine), drained and roughly chopped
8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella Pearls (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup packed Fresh Basil, freshly chopped
1/4 cup packed Fresh Parsley, freshly chopped
Optional Protein Boost: 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
For the Zesty Italian Dressing:
3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
2–3 cloves Garlic, minced or pressed
1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1 teaspoon Sea Salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper, or to taste
Optional: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
Optional: 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese (for dressing or garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain well and immediately rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Shake off excess water.
2. Prepare the Vegetables and Add-ins: While pasta cooks or after draining, wash and chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion. Drain and chop artichoke hearts. Halve Kalamata olives. Rinse and drain optional chickpeas/beans. Chop fresh basil and parsley.
3. Make the Zesty Italian Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Whisk vigorously or shake until well combined and emulsified. Taste and adjust seasonings.
4. Combine the Salad: In a very large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled spaghetti. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the spaghetti and toss gently to coat.
5. Add Vegetables and Other Ingredients: Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell peppers, Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, optional chickpeas/beans, and fresh mozzarella pearls to the bowl. Sprinkle in chopped fresh basil and parsley.
6. Toss Gently: Gently toss all ingredients together until well distributed and lightly coated with dressing. Avoid overmixing.
7. Adjust Dressing and Seasoning: Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad and toss lightly. Taste and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper, lemon, vinegar) as needed.
8. Chill (Recommended): Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour (ideally 2-4 hours or overnight) to allow flavors to meld.
9. Serve: Before serving, give a gentle toss. If dry, refresh with a drizzle of olive oil or squeeze of lemon juice. Garnish with extra fresh basil/parsley and optional Parmesan cheese. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
**Al Dente Pasta is Key:** Do not overcook the pasta! It should still have a slight bite as it will soften further as it sits and absorbs the dressing.
**Rinse Pasta with Cold Water:** This step is crucial for pasta salads. It stops the cooking process and removes excess starch, preventing the pasta from clumping together.
**Soak Red Onion (Optional):** If you find raw red onion too potent, thinly slice it and soak it in cold water for 10-15 minutes before adding to the salad. This mellows its flavor.
**Make Ahead for Best Flavor:** This salad truly benefits from chilling for at least a few hours, or even overnight, allowing all the vibrant flavors to meld and deepen.
- Prep Time: 20-25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Pasta Salad
- Method: No-Cook, Mixing, Chilling
- Cuisine: Italian-American, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350-450 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: 400-600 mg
- Fat: 20-25 g
- Saturated Fat: 4-6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 35-45 g
- Fiber: 4-6 g
- Protein: 10-15 g
- Cholesterol: N/A