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    Home » Course » Side Dishes

    Spaghetti Pasta Salad

    Published Jun 19, 2024 | Updated May 13, 2025 | By Laura

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    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.

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    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!

    Table of Contents

    • Why You'll Love this Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Tools You'll Need
    • How to Make Spaghetti Pasta Salad
    • Expert Tips and Substitutions
    • Making the Perfect Pasta for Cold Spaghetti Salad
    • Storage & Make Ahead Instructions
    • FAQs
    • More Easy Side Dish Recipes
    • Spaghetti Salad Recipe
      • Ingredients 1x2x3x4x5x
      • Instructions
      • Video
      • Notes
      • Nutrition

    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.

    A forkful of cold spaghetti salad.

    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.
    The ingredients for cold spaghetti salad.

    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.
    Cooking spaghetti in a pot.
    1. In a large bowl, combine cooked and cooled spaghetti, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, olives, artichokes, and onion.
    Pasta and veggies in a bowl ready to be mixed.
    1. Pour the dressing on top, and toss until coated well. 
    2. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle parmesan and feta on top. Chill until ready to serve.
    Adding parmesan to the top of cold spaghetti salad.

    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.
    A plate of spaghetti salad.

    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

    Can I use a different type of pasta?

    Yes, you can use any type of pasta you prefer in pasta salad, such as penne, farfalle, fusilli, or bowtie pasta. Just be sure to cook it according to the package instructions and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

    Can I make the pasta salad ahead of time?

    Yes, pasta salad tastes even better when made in advance. For best results, prepare the salad up to a day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. You may need to add a bit more dressing before serving, as the pasta may absorb some of the dressing as it sits. Just give it a toss before serving to redistribute the flavors.

    How can I keep my pasta salad from drying out?

    Make sure the pasta is properly cooked and slightly undercooked, as it absorbs some of the dressing and softens further in the refrigerator. You can reserve a small amount of dressing to add right before serving to freshen up the salad.

    Is this recipe gluten-free?

    This can easily become gluten-free by ensuring the dressing variety and pasta you choose is gluten-free.

    More Easy Side Dish Recipes

    • Barbecue Chicken Pasta Salad
    • Cornbread Chicken Salad
    • Mediterranean Tomato and Cucumber Salad
    • Garlic Bread Caprese Salad
    Getting a serving of spaghetti pasta salad.
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    4.72 from 7 votes

    Spaghetti Salad Recipe

    This Spaghetti Pasta Salad is a fun twist on a classic side dish. It's a great 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.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: barbecue, summer, vegetables
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 222kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 pound spaghetti cooked and drained
    • 2 bell peppers cut into thin strips
    • ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
    • 1 cup diced cucumber
    • 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
    • 3 ounces olives (any variety) sliced or halved
    • 12 ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts drained and roughly chopped
    • 12 ounce bottle Greek dressing
    • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
    • ½ cup crumbled feta

    Instructions

    • Cook spaghetti in boiling salted water per package directions, drain and cool.
    • In a large bowl, combine cooked and cooled spaghetti, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, olives, marinated artichokes, and onion.
    • Pour the dressing on top, and toss until coated well.
    • Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle parmesan and feta on top. Chill until ready to serve.

    Video

    Notes

    Storage: 
    • 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!
    Tips: 
      • Customize to Taste: This easy spaghetti salad is highly customizable. Besides the ingredients I used, here are some more fresh ingredients you could incorporate:
          • Blanched Asparagus
          • Blanched or Raw Broccoli
          • Blanched or Raw Cauliflower
          • Sundried Tomatoes
          • Mini Pepperoni
          • Italian Seasoning
          • Fresh Basil
          • Fresh Parsley
          • Mozzarella Cheese
          • Green Onions
          • Chickpeas
          • Zucchini
          • Squash
          • Radishes
          • Sugar Snap Peas
          • Fresh Corn
          • Edamame Beans
          • Beans
      • Prep in Advance: Have all of your salad ingredients sliced and measured first for quicker assembly and a lesser chance of error.
      • 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. For a creamier dressing, mix some Greek yogurt with the Greek dressing.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 471mg | Potassium: 206mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 984IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @dinnerin321 or tag #dinnerin321!

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    Filed Under: Salads, Side Dishes

    Laura

    About Laura

    Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more...

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    Comments

      4.72 from 7 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mary

      January 26, 2023 at 4:43 pm

      Hello! What is the name of the Greek dressing you use?

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 26, 2023 at 4:55 pm

        My favorite is Cardini’s Light Greek Vinaigrette! It’s super yummy without the wang some Greek vinaigrettes have.

    2. Phyllis

      July 28, 2023 at 11:53 pm

      5 stars
      Laura, is there a website for the slicers that you used when you sliced the tomatoes in half also sliced the olives?

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        August 16, 2023 at 6:39 pm

        Those are both Pampered Chef products: close and cut and v-shaped cutter 🙂

    3. Kathi

      June 23, 2024 at 10:03 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for a BBQ we went to yesterday, not only was it easy but it was a hit!

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        June 28, 2024 at 4:19 pm

        Oh that is FANTASTIC!! Thank you so much!! 🙂

    4. Ellen

      June 28, 2024 at 5:39 pm

      5 stars
      Pasta is a staple in our house and this recipe was a pleasant find! I took it to a cookout and it was a hit. The guests devoured it. Thanks for a great recipe.

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        June 29, 2024 at 7:32 pm

        Oh that is wonderful to hear! THANK YOU so much!!! I'm so happy it was a hit!

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    Welcome to my kitchen! I'm Laura Ashley, and I'm excited you're here! As a registered dietitian and diabetes educator, I love cooking all kinds of food and trying new restaurants. Food is my love language! Here at Dinner in 3, 2, 1, I serve up delicious and nutritious recipes you and your family will love.

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