Spaghetti Salad Recipe With Italian Dressing
Summer is a time for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings. And what better way to celebrate the season than with a delicious, refreshing pasta salad? This spaghetti salad recipe with Italian dressing is the perfect addition to any summer gathering. It's easy to make, packed with flavor, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
Before we begin, let's gather all the necessary ingredients for this recipe:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 can black olives, drained and sliced
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Now that we have all the ingredients, let's get started:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, diced red onion, diced green bell pepper, diced red bell pepper, diced yellow bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and sliced black olives.
- Add the Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese to the bowl and toss until all the ingredients are well coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld together.
- When you're ready to serve, give the salad a quick toss and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.
Tips and Variations:
Here are some tips and variations to help you customize this recipe:
- If you're short on time, you can use store-bought Italian dressing instead of making your own. Just make sure to choose a high-quality brand that you enjoy.
- You can add other vegetables to this salad, such as cucumbers, carrots, or celery. Just make sure to dice them into small pieces so they blend well with the spaghetti.
- If you're serving this salad to a crowd, you can easily double or triple the recipe. Just make sure to use a large enough bowl to hold all the ingredients.
- If you want to make this salad a bit heartier, you can add some cooked chicken, shrimp, or steak. Just make sure to season the meat well and cook it thoroughly before adding it to the salad.
- If you're not a fan of Parmesan cheese, you can use a different type of cheese, such as feta or goat cheese.
Conclusion:
This spaghetti salad recipe with Italian dressing is a delicious and refreshing summer dish that's perfect for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings. It's easy to make, packed with flavor, and sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So why not give it a try and see for yourself?