Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make Italian spaghetti salad, perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup mozzarella balls, halved
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, black olives, red onion, mozzarella balls, and Parmesan cheese.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve cold, garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- For added protein, consider mixing in diced grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Substitute the Italian dressing with a homemade vinaigrette for a fresher taste; simply whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and Italian herbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg