California Spaghetti Salad

California Spaghetti Salad

Bursting with vibrant veggies, tender pasta, and a bold Italian-style dressing, this California Spaghetti Salad is a refreshing and colorful dish that’s perfect for warm-weather gatherings. Whether you’re heading to a barbecue, potluck, or just prepping a simple lunch, this salad is a bright and flavorful choice everyone will enjoy.

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🧾 Ingredients

Salad Base

Ingredient	Quantity
Spaghetti	400–500 grams
Cherry tomatoes, halved	1 ½ cups
Cucumber, diced	1
Zucchini, diced	2 cubes
Green pepper, diced	1
Red pepper, diced	1
Red onion, diced	1
Sliced black olives, drained	1 can

Dressing

Ingredient	Quantity
Italian dressing	1 bottle
Grated Parmesan cheese	½ cup
Sesame seeds	1 tablespoon
Paprika	1 teaspoon
Celery seeds	½ teaspoon
Garlic powder	½ teaspoon

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👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta
   Boil the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water to cool it down quickly and stop the cooking process.
2. Prep the Veggies
   While the pasta cooks, dice the cucumber, zucchini, green and red bell peppers, and red onion. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and drain the black olives.
3. Mix the Salad
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti with all the chopped vegetables and olives.
4. Whisk the Dressing
   In a separate bowl, stir together the Italian dressing, Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, paprika, celery seeds, and garlic powder until well blended.
5. Combine & Chill
   Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything until evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to let the flavors develop.

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🥗 Serving Tips

This chilled pasta salad is ideal for make-ahead meals or as a side dish alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, or wraps. Its bright flavors and crisp textures make it a reliable crowd-pleaser every time.