Spaghetti Salad Recipe

Spaghetti Salad is the kind of dish that’s just as perfect at a lively summer barbecue as it is for a quick weeknight meal. This colorful mix of tender spaghetti, crisp veggies, briny olives, zippy feta, and a tangy-sweet lemon vinaigrette brings irresistible Mediterranean flair to the table. The best part? It’s incredibly simple to pull together, uses ingredients most of us love, and tastes even better after the flavors mingle for a while. Whether you serve it cold from the fridge or at room temperature, this Spaghetti Salad has an undeniable magnetism—one bite, and everyone comes back for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Spaghetti Salad is how each ingredient shines—adding vibrant color, texture, or bold flavor. You don’t need fancy or hard-to-find items. Every piece plays an important role in creating that classic summer pasta salad comfort everyone craves!

• Spaghetti: The star of the show! Use regular or thin spaghetti and cook it until just tender for the perfect bite.
• Lemon juice (freshly squeezed): Fresh juice wakes up the entire dish with a bright, citrusy zing you can’t get from bottled juice.
• Extra virgin olive oil: The base of the dressing, giving the salad silkiness and a rich, fruity layer.
• Italian seasoning: This blend fills every forkful with herbaceous, savory depth—dry or homemade both work great.
• Honey: A touch of sweetness softens the lemon’s acidity and balances the salty, tangy punch of the cheese and olives.
• Salt and pepper: Don’t be shy! Seasoning brings the whole dish together and highlights the freshness.
• Cherry tomatoes (red and yellow): Sweet, juicy pops of color and flavor—halve them to release even more flavor into the salad.
• Cucumbers: Sliced for crunch; they cool everything off and soak up the dressing deliciously.
• Red onion: Adds bite and color—if you prefer milder onion, soak the pieces briefly in ice water before adding.
• Black olives: Sliced for briny richness and beautiful contrast—look for pitted olives to save time.
• Green olives: Their gentle saltiness and unique tang help balance out the brinier black olives.
• Crumbled feta cheese: Tangy and creamy, this is what really takes your Spaghetti Salad from good to unforgettable.

How to Make Spaghetti Salad

Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti

Start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil—this really is key for flavorful pasta. Drop in your spaghetti and give it an occasional stir to prevent sticking. Cook according to the package for al dente texture, which holds up beautifully in the salad.

Step 2: Rinse and Cool the Pasta

Once it’s perfectly cooked, drain the spaghetti and immediately rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. This not only cools everything down quickly for your Spaghetti Salad, but it also keeps the noodles separate and non-sticky, which is exactly what you want here.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

While the pasta cooks, whisk up a simple yet dazzling dressing in a large bowl: mix fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, honey, and Italian seasoning. Don’t forget salt and pepper—generosity here is your friend. The honey’s subtle sweetness ties everything together, and the herbs begin to infuse right away.

Step 4: Marinate the Veggies

Add your halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, chopped red onions, and both kinds of olives directly into the bowl with the dressing. Give them a toss so everything gets coated and starts marinating. This little step lets the veggies absorb flavor and release their juices, making the salad much more vibrant.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Add the cooled, drained spaghetti and generous sprinkles of crumbled feta cheese straight into the bowl with the marinated veggies. Toss thoroughly, using tongs or clean hands, to ensure each strand and veggie is glistening with herby dressing and speckled with salty feta.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

Before you serve, taste your creation! Add more salt, pepper, or another squeeze of lemon juice if you crave extra brightness. Adjusting at the end means every bite of your Spaghetti Salad will be just right.

How to Serve Spaghetti Salad

Garnishes

A generous shower of fresh basil or parsley over the top is both beautiful and aromatic—herbs wake up the palate and make the salad look instantly party-ready. An extra handful of feta or even a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts adds more texture and flavor if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

Spaghetti Salad is wonderfully versatile. It shines beside grilled meats, roasted chicken, or sandwiches, but also pairs perfectly with other picnic favorites like deviled eggs, hummus, or even simple garlic bread. Its zingy flavors balance out rich or classic comfort food main courses.

Creative Ways to Present

Try piling it inside a big, hollowed-out bell pepper for a stunning edible serving bowl, or serve individual scoops in lettuce cups for a fresh twist. You can even thread forkfuls onto party skewers for easy, grab-and-go appetizers at a gathering—the possibilities for presenting Spaghetti Salad are endless!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three days. You’ll notice that Spaghetti Salad only gets tastier as the dressing and veggies meld together, making it a dream for advance meal prep or easy lunches.

Freezing

While freezing is not recommended for this salad (as the veggies will lose their crunch and the dressing can separate), you can prep the pasta and dressing in advance and keep them cold, then toss everything together before serving for a fresh, flavorful result.

Reheating

This salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature, so simply remove it from the fridge 10–20 minutes before serving. If you’re craving a slightly warmer version, a gentle toss in a skillet for just a minute or two will refresh the flavors—just don’t overheat, as you want to preserve the fresh veggie texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different pasta?

Absolutely! While spaghetti gives the salad its signature twist, you can swap in linguine, angel hair, or even short pasta like rotini if you like. The key is cooking it to al dente for best texture.

Does Spaghetti Salad work for meal prep?

Yes—Spaghetti Salad is a meal prep superstar! It holds up beautifully for two or three days in the fridge, actually tasting better as the flavors deepen. Just give it a quick toss before serving.

Can I make this Spaghetti Salad gluten free?

Definitely! Just choose your favorite gluten free spaghetti and cook according to the package directions. Everything else in the salad is naturally gluten free.

What protein can I add to Spaghetti Salad?

Grilled chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or even cubes of salami all blend nicely without overwhelming the fresh, zesty flavors here. Just stir them in along with the feta.

How do I keep the pasta from getting mushy?

Be sure to cook your spaghetti until it’s just al dente and rinse with cold water right after draining. This helps stop the cooking instantly and keeps the pasta firm in the salad.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve tried making Spaghetti Salad, it might just find a permanent spot on your potluck table or family dinner menu. It’s that magical mix of easy, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing—plus there’s always room for fun twists and personal touches. Give it a try, and get ready to fall for your new go-to pasta salad!

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