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California Spaghetti Salad

California Spaghetti Salad is a delicious and colorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. This refreshing salad combines cooked spaghetti with a wide variety of crisp vegetables and zesty dressing, making it a crowd-pleaser for barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners.

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe is easy to prepare and is a great way to enjoy fresh vegetables while indulging in the comforting taste of spaghetti. It’s a versatile dish that you can customize with your favorite ingredients and flavors. Plus, it’s a great make-ahead option, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests.

How to Make California Spaghetti Salad

Making California Spaghetti Salad is simple and fun. Just follow the steps below and you’ll have a tasty dish ready to serve in no time!

Ingredients:

1 lb spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
2 zucchini, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 red onion, diced
1 can sliced black olives, drained
1 bottle Italian dressing
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

Cook spaghetti according to package instructions, then drain and rinse in cold water.
In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, both bell peppers, onion, and black olives.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, sesame seeds, parmesan cheese, paprika, celery seed, and garlic powder.
Toss the cooked spaghetti with the mixed veggies, olives, and dressing until well combined.
Chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Serve chilled and enjoy!

How to Serve California Spaghetti Salad

California Spaghetti Salad is best served cold. You can put it in a large serving bowl for everyone to help themselves, or portion it out into individual plates for a more elegant presentation. Add a sprinkle of extra parmesan cheese or fresh herbs on top for garnish if you like!

How to Store California Spaghetti Salad

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The flavors may deepen as it sits, making it just as tasty on the second day.

Tips to Make California Spaghetti Salad

For extra flavor, you can add your favorite proteins such as grilled chicken or shrimp.
Feel free to swap out or add vegetables depending on what you have on hand.
Mixing in some crushed red pepper flakes will give the salad a spicy kick if you like heat.

Variation

You can easily adapt this salad to fit seasonal ingredients. In the summer, add corn or avocado, and in the fall, consider adding roasted butternut squash.

FAQs

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Yes! You can substitute spaghetti with any pasta you like, such as penne, fusilli, or rotini.

Q: Is it okay to use store-bought dressing?
A: Absolutely! Store-bought Italian dressing works perfectly, making this recipe even easier.

Q: How can I make this salad vegan?
A: Simply omit the parmesan cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative and ensure your dressing is vegan-friendly.

Enjoy making and sharing this vibrant California Spaghetti Salad at your next gathering!