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California Spaghetti Salad

A vibrant pasta salad featuring spaghetti, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing, perfect for potlucks and gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Salad
  • 1 pound thin spaghetti, broken into 1-inch pieces Breaking the spaghetti makes it easier to eat.
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced Use a little as it has a strong flavor.
  • 1 can black olives, drained and sliced
For the Dressing
  • 1 bottle Italian salad dressing (16 ounces)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Method
 

Cooking the Spaghetti
  1. Break spaghetti into 1-inch pieces and cook in boiling water according to package directions (8-10 minutes) until tender.
  2. Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse it under cold water to stop further cooking.
Prepping Your Vegetables
  1. Halve cherry tomatoes and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Dice cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion, then add them to the bowl.
  3. Drain and slice black olives, then add them to the bowl with other vegetables and toss gently.
Whisking the Seasoned Dressing
  1. In a separate bowl, combine Italian dressing, Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, paprika, celery seed, and garlic powder.
  2. Whisk until fully blended, ensuring no clumps of cheese.
Combining Pasta, Vegetables, and Dressing
  1. Add cooled, drained spaghetti to the vegetables in the bowl.
  2. Pour the whisked dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
Chilling for Maximum Flavor
  1. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
Serving Your Salad
  1. Toss the salad again before serving to redistribute dressing that may have settled.
  2. Serve chilled, optionally topped with fresh basil or parsley.

Notes

Rinse pasta immediately after cooking and before combining with other ingredients to avoid mushiness. A proper chilling time is crucial for flavor development.