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!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Nope! You can use whatever pasta noodle you enjoy. This recipe is just traditionally made with spaghetti noodles.
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!
I think mozzarella is perfect in this. I also think gouda would taste lovely with the other flavors.
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.
Store leftovers in a lidded container in the refrigerator where it will last up to 3 days.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- spaghetti noodles
- green pepper & red pepper
- red onion
- cucumber
- grape tomatoes
- sliced olives
- cheddar cheese
- grated Parmesan cheese
- McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning
- garlic powder
- 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.
While you're waiting for the spaghetti to cook, start dicing the veggies.
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.
In a large bowl - and I do mean LARGE bowl - add in all your diced veggies, olives and cheeses.
Drain pasta noodles and rinse gently with cool water.
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!)
With a bigger bowl found, I topped it all with the Mccormick Salad Supreme seasoning as well as the garlic powder.
Give it all a gentle toss. Pour Italian dressing over noodles.
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!
CRAVING MORE? GIVE THESE RECIPES A TRY!
Summer Spaghetti Salad (+Video)
Ingredients
- 1 pound box spaghetti noodles
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 English cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half
- 2.25 ounce) can sliced olives, drained
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 16 ounce bottle Italian dressing
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
Notes
- You can use whatever pasta noodle 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 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.
Nutrition
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 can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: May 2016
Updated and republished: June 2021
Adrian
Really good I made it Fathers Day, didn't want anything too heave to go with the Ribeye Steaks, it was a hit.
Eileen
Learned to make it in school
Kelcie
I cant believe it!! It tastes just.like my mother used to make it aside from the peppers!! This recipe is super easy and so yummy... takes me back.
Janet
Making this tomorrow for my family Reunion Saturday.
Katie
Making this today for a cookout. Can I used shredded parm instead of grated parm?
Brandie
Yes, use what you have.
Tina
This salad is delicious & great summer side dish.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Totally agree! Thank you Tina!
Chris
I make a very similar salad, instead of the seasoning used here, I use Cavender's Greek seasoning and add Feta cheese instead of parm, but I'm sure this one taste amazing as well.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I think that sounds SO good! A Greek version would be perfect!
Jill
I've made spaghetti salad for years but I use a red roasted dressing. If I can buy it, I make it. I use a jar of red roasted red peppers drained and processed in a blender. Finishing it like an oil & vinegar dressing. I also add zucchini small quartered.
Dolores
I love this salad! I also half a bottle of Salad supreme and cut up pepperoni.
jean vaught
Love this all, can be made night before?
Jen Jen
I did. It gets better.
Djuna Perine
I add imitation crab and sometimes shrimp to a similar recipe. Very good!
Allison C
I made this and added shrimp and sausage. Everyone was LOVING it! Barely had to wash my bowl! 🙂 Thanks!
Lana
One of my favorite salads for summer. I use 1/2 bottle of Salad Supreme for a more zesty flavor and also use Feta Cheese along with cheddar .
Brook
Wanting to make for a work potluck . Could this be made the night before ?
Jodi
Wonder what it would be like with spaghetti squash?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Jodi! I bet it would work great! I probably would cut back a bit on the dressing since the squash loves to soak up whatever you dress it with. 🙂
Tara
No no its not the same. This is amazing course for veggies all i put is cucumbers, tomatoes and a lol onion. But add what ur family likes it's good!!
Ken
You should try: Johnny's Salad & Pasta Elegance! The McCormick's is good but this is better!!!!!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Ken - where can I get it? I love trying new seasonings!
Michelle
You could add an avacado and and it would be perfect! !
Debbue Stevebsib
Adding that avacado sounds pretty yummilicious!! 🙂
Clara Szabo
My favorite version of this salad is to use the 3 color rotini noodles. Besides adding flavor it makes a really pretty salad.
Mary Beth
I totally made this today with tricolor rotini, and I felt so guilty LOL. I love Brandi's recipes and try to follow them to a T, but I just couldn't get
past my favorite Italian salad having different noodles. Someday, Brandi, I will try it your way, I promise!!!
Anonymous
can you use angle hair pasta?
Brandie (The Country Cook)
You can if you prefer them.
Melissa
My family will love this one!
Melissa
My family will love this one!
Anonymous
Sometimes I add diced carrots too
Pam G
Thank you, delicious and makes a beautiful addition to any table,Happy Memorial Day Weekend.
Brandie (The Country Cook)
Happy Memorial Day Pam! I could make my meal off of this salad!!
Anonymous
I make my spaghetti salad with 1/2 bell pepper and !/2 chopped red onion and the 12 oz bottle of Italian Dressing and salad supreme and also this can be made gluten free. Just use Gluten free noodles. and the longer it sits the better it gets. I sometimes add Chopped celery too.
Joyce Beilis
I use the same recipe as you except I add chopped cucumber too. Never olives and It's good with whole wheat pasta as well.
Jessie
I love recipe for Spaghetti Salad....do you have any Gluten Free recipes?