Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing And Spaghetti Noodles
If you're looking for a tasty and easy-to-make pasta salad recipe, look no further than this delicious dish featuring Italian dressing and spaghetti noodles! With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can whip up a delicious and nutritious meal that's perfect for lunch, dinner, or any time in between.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Add your favorite protein, such as cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu, to make this dish even more filling and satisfying.
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the Italian dressing to the mixing bowl with the spaghetti noodles and toss to combine. Make sure the noodles are well-coated with the dressing.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and fresh basil to the mixing bowl with the spaghetti noodles. Toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the mixing bowl and toss everything together again.
- Taste the pasta salad and adjust the seasoning as needed with salt and pepper.
- Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to meld together.
- When you're ready to serve the pasta salad, give it a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and toppings. You can garnish with additional fresh basil leaves or grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Tips:
- Be sure to rinse the cooked spaghetti noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking together.
- For a healthier version, use whole wheat spaghetti noodles and reduce the amount of dressing and cheese.
- This pasta salad is perfect for meal prep and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Feel free to customize this recipe with your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots.
- For a vegetarian or vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
Conclusion:
With its flavorful Italian dressing, crunchy vegetables, and satisfying spaghetti noodles, this pasta salad is sure to become a new favorite in your meal rotation. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy lunch or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this recipe has got you covered. So why not give it a try and see for yourself how delicious and easy it can be?