Homemade Spaghetti Salad

This Homemade Spaghetti Salad is a vibrant, cold pasta dish that combines tender noodles with a medley of crunchy garden vegetables and a zesty dressing. Often referred to as “California Salad,” this dish is a staple at summer picnics and family gatherings because it can be made in large batches and actually improves in flavor as it sits. The combination of textures—from the soft pasta to the crisp cucumbers and briny olives—makes it a refreshing alternative to heavier, mayo-based salads.

Ingredients

• The Pasta:

  • 1 lb spaghetti noodles, broken in half before boiling.

• The Fresh Vegetables:

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved.

  • 1 large cucumber, diced.

  • 1 green bell pepper, diced.

  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped.

• Briny Add-ins:

  • 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives.

• The Dressing:

  • 1 bottle (16 oz) Italian dressing.

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

  • 1 tbsp Salad Supreme seasoning (or a mix of paprika, poppy seeds, and celery salt).