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Spaghetti Salad

This summer Spaghetti Salad recipe is a classic and is full of veggies, cheese, seasoning and tossed with a yummy Italian dressing. Always a hit!

THE PERFECT SUMMER PASTA SALAD

There are lots of variations to this particular recipe. I first heard about it from my friend Patricia (remember her, from the Huli-Huli Chicken recipe?) Anyhow, she has a recipe similar to this that her Mom used to make and I knew it was an instant hit the first time I made this spaghetti salad!

close up photo of spaghetti salad in a large white bowl.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do I have to use spaghetti?

Nope! You can use whatever pasta noodle you enjoy. This recipe is just traditionally made with spaghetti noodles.

What is the best Italian dressing to use?

This is definitely personal taste. I was taught this recipe using Wish Bone’s Robusto Italian dressing. It’s a pretty cheap Italian dressing. Use whatever you love!

What other cheese can I use in this?

I think mozzarella is perfect in this. I also think gouda would taste lovely with the other flavors.

Where do I find the Salad Supreme Seasoning?

You will usually find it in one of two locations in your grocery store. It may be in the same location as the other seasonings or it will be with the salad dressings and condiments.

How do you store leftover spaghetti salad?

Store leftovers in a lidded container in the refrigerator where it will last up to 3 days.

Summer Spaghetti Salad recipe from The Country Cook, salad shown in a large white serving bowl with glass of sweet train the background.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • spaghetti – this can be any type of pasta you enjoy – it’s just traditionally made with spaghetti
  • green and red peppers – if you don’t like peppers than leave them out.
  • red onion – I have tip below on how to make onions taste a bit less pungent.
  • cucumber – I like to use an English cucumber because the skin is very tender and you can eat it – if you want to use a standard cucumber, just make sure to peel it first.
  • grape tomatoes – cherry tomatoes work great here too – also I think cherry tomatoes have a thinner skin so some people might prefer that.
  • sliced olives – again this is personal preference, if you don’t like them just leave them out or perhaps substitute with something like sliced banana peppers.
  • cheddar cheese – this is fun to play around with so use any type of cheese you enjoy. Pepper Jack would be a good one to add a kick of spice.
  • McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning – I understand that not everyone may be able to find this. It would be near the other seasonings in your grocery store. It’s in the ingredient photo below if you want to see what it looks like. As with most ingredients these days, you can usually find it online (not a paid affiliate). If you can’t find it, just leave it out.
  • Italian dressing – I’ve always made this with the Wish Bone Robusto Italian dressing but please use your favorite Italian dressing here.
spaghetti noodles, green pepper, red pepper, red onion, English cucumber, grape tomatoes, sliced olives, cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning (optional), garlic powder, Wish-Bone Italian dressing.

HOW TO MAKE SPAGHETTI SALAD:

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Season the boiling water with one tablespoon of kosher salt before putting the noodles in. Stir noodles often while cooking.

pot sized spaghetti noodles cooking in pot of boiling water.

 While you’re waiting for the spaghetti to cook, start dicing the veggies.

diced cucumbers, green peppers, red pepper on wooden cutting board.

I shared this tip a couple of weeks ago but it’s so useful, I’m sharing again. When you are using uncooked onions in a dish, soak them in ice water for a few minutes to help reduce some of that overpowering flavor.

sliced red onions soaking in a bowl of ice water.

 In a large bowl – and I do mean LARGE bowl – add in all your diced veggies, olives and cheeses.

Cooked spaghetti noodles, Dubliner diced cheese, sliced red onion, sliced cherry tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper, cucumber, sliced olives in a large clear glass bowl.

Drain pasta noodles and rinse gently with cool water.

cooked spaghetti noodles in metal strainer.

Then add the cooked and cooled spaghetti on top. It was at this moment that I realized I had grabbed the wrong glass bowl and this one was too small (sigh – my largest one was dirty so it was off to find a bigger bowl somewhere in my house!)

cooked spaghetti noodles, grape tomatoes, peppers, onions in a clear bowl.

With a bigger bowl found, I topped it all with the Mccormick Salad Supreme seasoning as well as the garlic powder.

Mccormick Salad Supreme Seasoning being shaken over a bowl of spaghetti salad.

 Give it all a gentle toss. Pour Italian dressing over noodles.

wish Bone Zest Italian Dressing poured over prepared spaghetti noodle salad.

 Stir mixture gently until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to cool for at least two hours before serving. It gets even better as it cools!

overhead shot salad made with spaghetti and vegetables in a large white bowl.

CRAVING MORE SALADS?

Originally published: May 2016
Updated and republished: June 2021

Summer Spaghetti Salad recipe from The Country Cook

Summer Spaghetti Salad (+Video)

This summer Spaghetti Salad recipe is a classic and is full of veggies, cheese, seasoning and tossed with a yummy Italian dressing. Always a hit!
4.94 from 79 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions.I season the boiling water with one tablespoon of kosher salt before putting the noodles in. Stir noodles often while cooking. Drain well after cooking until al dente.
  • In a large bowl – and I do mean LARGE bowl – add in all your diced veggies, olives and cheeses.
  • Then add the cooked and cooled spaghetti on top. Season salad with McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning and garlic powder. Give it all a gentle toss.
  •  Pour Italian dressing over noodles.
  • Stir mixture carefully until combined.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and allow to cool for at least two hours before serving. 

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions. 
  • You can use whatever pasta shape you enjoy. This recipe is just traditionally made with spaghetti noodles.
  • Use your favorite Italian dressing in this recipe. It doesn’t have to specifically be the one mentioned above.
  • Other cheeses to use: I think mozzarella is perfect in this. I also think gouda or pepper jack would taste lovely with the other flavors.
  • You will usually find the Salad Supreme Seasoning in one of two locations in your grocery store. It may be in the same location as the other seasonings or it will be with the salad dressings and condiments.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 79mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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52 Comments

  1. Hello- I’m planning to make this recipe very soon however, I can only find the Wish Bone “Zesty” Robusto Italian dressing. Will this make it too spicy?

  2. I’m sorry…I posted a question about this salad but can not find it. I was wondering if the “Zesty” Robusto Italian will be ok to use or will it be too spicy? Also I can not find the McCormick’s salad Supreme seasoning…What can I use in place of that? I have checked 5 different stores for it but they shelves are empty for this item. Sorry if you got this message twice. I’m wanting to make this salad for a luncheon I’m going to next week and wanted it to be just right. =)

    1. Hi Danene, it obviously won’t taste the same, It will just be a normal Italian pasta salad with using just dressing. Nothing wrong with that, just not the exact same. Use whatever Italian dressing you know you like. Sorry you couldn’t find it. Must be popular this summer!

  3. 5 stars
    This was awesome! Hot weather and a cool supper can’t be beat. The flavor is incredible. Definitely will be on the rotation menu!

  4. I can only find the Wish Bone “Zesty” Robusto Italian dressing. Will this make it too spicy? Also I can’t find the McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning. Can I use something different or will it be ok to leave it out?

  5. 5 stars
    I made this recipe for a food day event at work and it was a smashing hit. It didnt last long and everyone loved it

  6. 5 stars
    Brandie I made your summer spaghetti salad yesterday for the Fourth of July.
    It was a big hit and enjoyed by many. Several of us had it for lunch again today and it was even better today.