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California Spaghetti Salad

California Spaghetti Salad
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California Spaghetti Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish combining perfectly cooked spaghetti with crisp vegetables, tangy Italian dressing, fresh herbs, and optional cheese. This easy-to-make salad offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors, making it ideal for picnics, potlucks, or light weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces spaghetti, cooked al dente

Vegetables

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced

Herbs

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Optional

  • 1/4 cup Parmesan or mozzarella cheese, shredded or grated

Instructions

  1. Cook the Spaghetti: Boil water and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, black olives, and red onion into bite-sized pieces, keeping them uniformly sized for balanced flavors.
  3. Mix Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and dried oregano until well combined.
  4. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the cooled spaghetti with all the chopped vegetables, sliced olives, and fresh herbs. Pour the dressing over and gently mix to coat everything evenly.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Just before serving, sprinkle with optional cheese and extra fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the spaghetti; al dente texture is ideal.
  • Chill the salad well to let the dressing fully infuse flavors.
  • Use fresh vegetables for the best taste and crunch.
  • Adjust the dressing acidity and sweetness to your liking.
  • If vegetables are very juicy, drain them well to avoid a watery salad.

Nutrition

Keywords: California Spaghetti Salad, pasta salad, summer salad, vegetarian, picnic food, easy salad, Italian dressing, fresh vegetables

Find it online: https://dishesbylina.com/california-spaghetti-salad/