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Spaghetti Salad

A quick and colorful pasta salad that’s perfect for busy nights and makes a great make-ahead meal or side dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 12 oz spaghetti (regular or whole wheat)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls or 8 oz mozzarella, cubed (or crumbled feta for tang)
  • 6 oz salami or pepperoni, sliced into bite-sized pieces (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)
Dressing
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp honey or sugar (optional, for balance)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method
 

Cook the spaghetti
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente (about 9–10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Toss lightly with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
Prepare the veggies and mix-ins
  1. While pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the olives if needed. Cube the mozzarella or drain the mozzarella pearls.
Make the dressing
  1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, honey (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust—you want a bright balance of tang and oil.
Combine everything
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled spaghetti, vegetables, mozzarella, salami (if using), and parsley. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently until everything is coated.
Chill and marry the flavors
  1. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
Final touch
  1. Just before serving, give the salad a quick toss, taste for seasoning, and sprinkle grated Parmesan if desired. If the salad seems dry after chilling, add a splash more olive oil or vinegar to brighten it.

Notes

Make-ahead friendly; flavors deepen overnight. Swap ingredients to accommodate dietary needs. Optional toppings for texture.