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!
This should be called the summer, fall, winter and spring salad. It’s so good! I add a can of chick peas. Thanks for the recipe!
– Kirstie
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: (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.
How To Make Spaghetti Salad
Cook pasta
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.
Prepare the veggies
While you’re waiting for the spaghetti to cook, start dicing the veggies.
Optional: Soak the onions
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.
Add prepared veggies to a bowl
In a large bowl – and I do mean LARGE bowl – add in all your diced veggies, olives and cheeses.
Drain spaghetti
Drain pasta noodles and rinse gently with cool water.
Combine pasta and veggies
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!)
Add seasoning
With a bigger bowl found, I topped it all with the Mccormick Salad Supreme seasoning as well as the garlic powder.
Add dressing
Give it all a gentle toss. Pour Italian dressing over noodles.
Stir and refrigerate
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 Recipes?
Summer Spaghetti Salad
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
- 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.
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 and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: May 2016
Updated photos and republished: June 2021
A new favorite this summer, so full of veggies. I’ve made it several times using whole wheat pasta and Ken’s Lite Creamy Caesar dressing. Gives it a kick.
this turned out amazing. My kiddo told me I did a great job with it. ahahahha. Definitely making it again.
Ha I love it! Kids can be hard to impress so that is high praise indeed lol!
Great summer salad. I replaced the cheddar cheese with fresh mozzarella ciliegine cut in half. I also made the dressing using red wine vinegar, EVOO, garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, onion powder, and basil. For bit of extra spice, I added about 1/3 cup of juice from a jar of pickled jalapenos.
Love this salad. Make it a lot.
This is delicious! The big difference between this recipes and a lot of other spaghetti salad recipes is the McCormick seasoning. It can be hard to find, but it really takes the salad to the next level. Depending on your taste, you can increase the amount by a bit if you want
one direction to add rinse your noodles so they are not sticky. it was good. we had it with garlic bread.
can I add pepperoni to this recipe?
You can add anything you want too
Fantastic as always!!! Too much for one person, but I love sharing!
Thanks so much G.! I really appreciate you taking the time to come back and comment and I am so thrilled you loved this one!
Very easy to do. I added shredded carrots and shredded zucchini.
Great additions! Thanks so much Larry!
This is a delicious dish. I’ll make it next time with pasta shells instead. Never got the ingredients to mix in with the spaghetti noodles like the picture shows. Ended up cutting up the spaghetti to get it to blend.
instead of cherry tomatoes I use petite diced tomatoes love the recipe
I made spaghetti salad 3 days ago for a small gathering. It was delicious!!! So delicious I just made it again for cookout this weekend!!! I must say though, it was extra tasty when eaten after refrigerated 24 hours as opposed to a couple of hours. All the seasoning has a chance to marinate!!!
i have been in love w this salad since i was a small child my aunt used to make it for the 4th of july weekend..she adds in somce cubed kielbasa,crushed tomatoes and celery as well (she makes hers in batches but makes abt 4lbs of pasta) hence only making it for 4th of july but i absolutely love this 🙂
Rather than leaving the pasta in the colander to cool since there was a large amount , I spread it on a large cookie sheet. This helped separating the spaghetti. I, also, used a little of the dressing to help it not stick.
perfect recipe, delicious!
Thanks so very much Denise!
Thanks for the recipe and sharing your site. Renee
Tried this tonight and it came out really good.
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?
I’ve never had that so I don’t know. I would go with an Italian dressing you know you enjoy.
the zesty robust Italian dressing isnt actually spicey its more like extra tangy and more chunky stuff and is absolutely delicious in this recipe 🙂
I add thinly sliced yellow squash , and Zuchinni. I also add sliced but each slice cut in half like squash and zuchinni of pepperoni. I used parmesan cheese too so good
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. =)
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!
This was awesome! Hot weather and a cool supper can’t be beat. The flavor is incredible. Definitely will be on the rotation menu!
Thanks so very much Gail! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment!
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?
It won’t be the same but you could certainly do that 🙂
Lots of compliments So good!
That’s wonderful Linda! Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment!
I love this salad. I added pepperoni slices to it. it was great.
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
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.
Really good I made it Fathers Day, didn’t want anything too heave to go with the Ribeye Steaks, it was a hit.
Learned to make it in school
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.
Making this tomorrow for my family Reunion Saturday.
Making this today for a cookout. Can I used shredded parm instead of grated parm?
Yes, use what you have.
This salad is delicious & great summer side dish.
Totally agree! Thank you Tina!
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.
I think that sounds SO good! A Greek version would be perfect!
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.
Can you make this the night before
I love this salad! I also half a bottle of Salad supreme and cut up pepperoni.
Love this all, can be made night before?
I did. It gets better.
I add imitation crab and sometimes shrimp to a similar recipe. Very good!
I made this and added shrimp and sausage. Everyone was LOVING it! Barely had to wash my bowl! 🙂 Thanks!
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 .
Wanting to make for a work potluck . Could this be made the night before ?
Wonder what it would be like with spaghetti squash?
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. 🙂
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!!
You should try: Johnny’s Salad & Pasta Elegance! The McCormick’s is good but this is better!!!!!!
Ken – where can I get it? I love trying new seasonings!
You could add an avacado and and it would be perfect! !
Adding that avacado sounds pretty yummilicious!! 🙂
My favorite version of this salad is to use the 3 color rotini noodles. Besides adding flavor it makes a really pretty salad.
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!!!
can you use angle hair pasta?
You can if you prefer them.
My family will love this one!
My family will love this one!
Sometimes I add diced carrots too
Thank you, delicious and makes a beautiful addition to any table,Happy Memorial Day Weekend.
Happy Memorial Day Pam! I could make my meal off of this salad!!
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.
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.
I love recipe for Spaghetti Salad….do you have any Gluten Free recipes?