Description
Fast, fresh, and flavorful spaghetti salad packed with fresh vegetables and savory salami. This vibrant dish is perfect for parties, picnics, potlucks, or a simple summer side dish. Chilled to meld the flavors, it’s refreshing and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Salad
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 zucchini, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 cucumber, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 red onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 (3.8 ounce) can sliced olives, drained
- ¾ cup salami, sliced or cubed
Pasta Salad Dressing
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Drain and Rinse: Drain the cooked spaghetti and immediately rinse with cold water to shock the pasta. This stops the cooking process and prevents the noodles from becoming soggy.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large serving dish, combine the cooled spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, diced zucchini, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, sliced olives, and cubed or sliced salami.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a jar or mixing bowl, add extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, white granulated sugar, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously or whisk until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the spaghetti salad mixture. Gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to mingle and develop. Before serving, toss the salad again and enjoy.
Notes
- Cook noodles al dente for the best texture and to prevent mushiness.
- Rinsing pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and cools the noodles for the salad.
- Reserve a small amount of dressing to refresh the salad before serving or for leftovers.
- Substitute dried herbs with fresh herbs for an even more vibrant flavor.
- Add pepperoncini for extra tang and spice.
- Include sliced, shredded, or small balls of mozzarella, burrata, or parmesan cheese to enrich the salad.
- Store leftovers tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Refresh with reserved dressing or a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
