Spaghetti Pasta Salad

This Spaghetti Pasta Salad is a fun twist on a classic side dish. It’s an easy make-ahead recipe to serve to a crowd that’s full of flavor! We love to customize it with our favorite veggies, proteins, cheeses, and dressings.

When Summer arrives, we love making all of our favorite warm weather dishes and this Spaghetti Pasta Salad is one of them. Rather than use a short noodle, we use spaghetti to make a delicious and flavorful pasta salad. Kids love that it uses long noodles as a twist on the classic recipe.

The best part about this simple pasta salad with spaghetti, is that it’s actually better to make it ahead of time. It allows the flavors to marinate for a more robust taste. This is why we love adding this to the menu for a busy week or when were entertaining a crowd for ease.

Our version is Greek-inspired with crunchy, fresh veggies and a tangy vinaigrette. You can make it whatever flavor is your favorite!

Along with our viral Macaroni Salad and epic Pasta Salad, this side dish tops the charts for side dishes to bring to all of your summer potlucks!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• Perfect for Any Occasion. Cold spaghetti salad is a great side dish for barbecues, a light lunch, or a potluck favorite. It’s always a crowd pleaser.
• Burst of Flavors. The combination of fresh vegetables, tangy Greek dressing, and savory cheeses makes each bite perfection.
• 10 Ingredient Easy Recipe. Simple ingredients and straightforward steps means you can whip up this easy spaghetti pasta salad recipe in no time.

Laura Ashley’s Tip: Be sure to rinse your spaghetti under cold water after cooking, this will keep the pasta al dente with nice texture and also help the dressing to coat better.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card Below

• Spaghetti: The base of the salad, provides a hearty texture and absorbs the flavors of the dressing.
• Bell Peppers: Red bell pepper, yellow and/or green pepper adds a sweet crunch and vibrant color.
• Red Onion: Offers a sharp, tangy taste, and color.
• Cucumber: Brings a refreshing, crispiness.
• Grape Tomatoes or Cherry Tomatoes: Adds juicy sweetness and a pop of color.
• Olives: Provides a salty, briny flavor that balances the sweetness of the vegetables. Kalamata, green, or black olives all work great!
• Marinated Artichoke Hearts: Add a tangy, savory depth to the salad.
• Greek Dressing: Brings a boost of flavor and ties all the ingredients together.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste.
• Feta Cheese: Brings a creamy, tangy element that complements the vegetables and dressing.

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Cups
• Spatula
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Tongs
• Cutting Board
• Chef’s Knife
• Large Stockpot

How to Make Spaghetti Pasta Salad

1. Cook spaghetti in boiling salted water per package directions, drain, and cool.

2. In a large bowl, combine cooked and cooled spaghetti, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, olives, artichokes, and onion.

3. Pour the dressing on top, and toss until coated well. 
4. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle parmesan and feta on top. Chill until ready to serve.

Expert Tips and Substitutions

• Add some new mix-ins. This easy spaghetti salad is highly customizable. Besides the ingredients I used, here are some more fresh ingredients you could incorporate:
  • Blanched or Raw Broccoli
  • Sundried Tomatoes
  • Mini Pepperoni
  • Fresh or Dried Herbs like Parsley, Basil or Italian Seasoning
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • Green Onions
  • Zucchini or Squash
  • Radishes
  • Sugar Snap Peas
  • Fresh Corn
  • Edamame, Chickpeas, or Beans
• Make in Advance. Have all of your salad ingredients sliced and measured first for quicker assembly and more flavor.
• Make it a Meal. You can make this pasta salad a meal by simply pairing it with a protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, tuna, ham, tofu or steak.
• Dressing Options. Vinegar-based dressing varieties like a zesty Italian dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, ranch dressing, Caesar dressing, or a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing all work great.

Making the Perfect Pasta for Cold Spaghetti Salad

The key to making pasta for a cold spaghetti salad is to cook it al dente and then quickly cool it down to stop the cooking process. Here’s all of our secret tips to the best method:

• Pasta Options: Use your favorite pasta for this dish! Whole wheat spaghetti, rotini, fusilli, penne, and farfalle are all excellent choices for this salad as well.
• Boil Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon of water to season the pasta as it cooks.
• Cook Al Dente: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente, which means it’s cooked through but still firm to the bite.
• Rinse Under Cold Water: Once the pasta is cooked, immediately drain it in a colander and rinse it under cool water. Rinsing the pasta stops the cooking process and helps cool it down quickly, preventing it from becoming mushy and sticky.
• Drain Well: Make sure to drain the pasta well to remove any excess water.

Storage & Make Ahead Instructions

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 to 4 days. The pasta tends to soak up the dressing the longer it’s stored. If needed, toss with additional dressing. This is not a freeze and thaw friendly dish.

Make this pasta salad up to a few hours in advance to store in the fridge. Trust us when we say it’s even more delicious this way!

FAQs

More Easy Side Dish Recipes

• Barbecue Chicken Pasta Salad
• Cornbread Chicken Salad
• Mediterranean Tomato and Cucumber Salad
• Garlic Bread Caprese Salad