Description
Fresh California Pasta Medley Salad combines Mediterranean-inspired ingredients with West Coast produce. Colorful pasta, crisp vegetables, and zesty herbs create a light, refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings and picnics you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) spaghetti noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
Cheese and Seasonings:
- ½ cup (50 grams) sliced black olives
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Salad Supreme seasoning
- ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Dressing:
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) Italian dressing
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of water with a generous pinch of salt, bringing it to a rolling boil. Add the broken spaghetti noodles and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente, following package instructions.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and immediately rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process and prevent sticking. Shake off excess water thoroughly.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumber, vibrant red and green bell peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, sliced black olives, and freshly chopped parsley.
- Add the cooled spaghetti to the vegetable mixture, gently folding the ingredients together to ensure even distribution.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese (about or ) and Salad Supreme seasoning over the pasta and vegetables.
- Pour Italian dressing (approximately or 120 milliliters) into the bowl, seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Using tongs, carefully toss the salad to coat every ingredient with dressing and seasonings, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60-90 minutes, allowing the ingredients to marinate and develop a robust taste profile.
- Just before serving, give the salad another gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and reinvigorate the flavors. Serve chilled as a vibrant side dish or light entree.
Notes
- Perfect for summer potlucks, picnics, and gatherings with friends and family.
- Versatile recipe that can be prepared ahead of time, making meal planning easier.
- Cold pasta salad stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ideal for make-ahead meals.
- Customize by adding protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a more substantial dish.
- Salad Supreme seasoning adds a unique tangy and zesty flavor profile to the entire dish.
- Rinsing pasta with cold water prevents further cooking and helps maintain a perfect al dente texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg