Of course! California Spaghetti Salad is a quintessential potluck and BBQ side dish. It’s fresh, colorful, packed with crunch, and has a sweet and tangy dressing that everyone loves. It’s also make-ahead friendly, which makes it a total winner.
This is the ultimate recipe for this classic cold pasta salad.
CALIFORNIA SPAGHETTI SALAD
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
· The Dressing: A perfectly balanced, sweet, and tangy Italian-style dressing.
· Make-Ahead Magic: It actually tastes better after chilling, as the flavors have time to meld.
· Colorful & Crunchy: Packed with fresh vegetables for great texture and flavor.
· Feeds a Crowd: This is the perfect dish to bring to a party, picnic, or barbecue.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
· 1 lb (16 oz) spaghetti, broken in half
· 1 large English cucumber, diced
· 1 large red bell pepper, diced
· 1 large yellow or orange bell pepper, diced
· 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
· 1 small red onion, finely diced (soak in cold water for 10 mins to mellow the bite if desired)
· 1 (2.25 oz) can sliced black olives, drained
· 1 cup Salad Supreme® seasoning (This is the SECRET ingredient! See note below)*
For the Dressing:
· 1 cup olive oil or avocado oil
· ½ cup red wine vinegar
· ⅓ cup granulated sugar (can adjust to taste)
· 2 tbsp dry Italian seasoning mix
· 1 tsp garlic powder
· 1 tsp onion powder
· 1 ½ tsp salt
· 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
*Salad Supreme® Note: This classic seasoning blend (by McCormick) is key to the authentic flavor with its specks of Romano cheese and herbs. If you absolutely cannot find it, you can make a substitute with: 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp each of celery seed, garlic powder, and black pepper. But the real thing is highly recommended!
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente (firm to the bite).
- Drain the pasta in a colander and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain very well.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
- While the pasta is cooking, make the dressing. In a medium bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk vigorously (or shake the jar) until the sugar is dissolved and the dressing is well-emulsified. Taste and adjust sugar, salt, or vinegar to your preference.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
- In an extremely large bowl (or two large bowls), combine the well-drained, cooled spaghetti, diced cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, and black olives.
- Pour the entire container of Salad Supreme® seasoning over the top.
- Pour the dressing over the salad.
Step 4: Mix and Marinate
- Using tongs or two large spoons, toss the salad until everything is evenly coated with the dressing and seasoning. This takes a few minutes to do thoroughly.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This is crucial for the flavors to develop!
Step 5: Serve
- Before serving, give the salad a good toss to redistribute the dressing. The pasta will have absorbed some of it.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (sometimes a little extra salt or pepper is welcome).
- Serve cold straight from the bowl.
Chef’s Notes & Tips for Success:
· Don’t Skip the Rinse: Rinsing the pasta is essential for a cold pasta salad. It removes excess starch and prevents the noodles from clumping together into a gummy brick.
· Drain Well: Ensure the pasta and all vegetables are well-drained. Extra water will dilute the delicious dressing.
· The Longer, The Better: This salad is good right away, but it’s truly incredible after marinating overnight. The flavors meld, and the textures become perfect.
· Add Protein: To make it a main dish, add diced salami, pepperoni, grilled chicken, chickpeas, or mozzarella balls (ciliegine).
· Variations: Feel free to add other crunchy veggies like chopped celery, shredded carrots, or broccoli florets.
Enjoy this taste of California at your next gathering