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To make a Zesty Spaghetti Salad, you need fresh and colorful ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need: - 8 oz spaghetti, cooked and cooled - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced - 1 cucumber, diced - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped - 1/4 cup black olives, sliced - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped These ingredients bring great taste and texture to the salad. The spaghetti serves as a hearty base. The cherry tomatoes and cucumber add a refreshing crunch. The bell pepper and red onion give a sweet and sharp flavor. The olives and feta contribute a nice salty touch. Finally, the fresh basil brings a burst of herbaceous goodness. The dressing makes the salad come alive. You will need: - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - Salt and pepper to taste This dressing has a perfect balance of tang and richness. Olive oil adds smoothness. Vinegar gives a zesty punch. Dijon mustard adds depth, while garlic powder enhances the flavor. Salt and pepper are key for seasoning. You can change some ingredients if you like. Here are some options: - Use whole wheat spaghetti for a healthier choice. - Swap black olives for green olives. - Try goat cheese instead of feta for a different flavor. - Use any fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro in place of basil. - If you want a gluten-free option, try gluten-free pasta. These substitutions allow you to customize the salad to your taste and dietary needs. You can make it your own and enjoy every bite! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start with your spaghetti. Cook 8 oz of spaghetti in boiling water. Let it cool after cooking. In a large bowl, mix the cooled spaghetti with 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Next, add 1 diced bell pepper, 1 diced cucumber, and 1/2 finely chopped red onion. Toss in 1/4 cup of sliced black olives and 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese. This mix brings color and crunch to your salad. Now, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar. If you prefer, use apple cider vinegar instead. Add 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until everything is well combined. This dressing adds zesty flavor to the salad. Pour the dressing over your spaghetti and veggie mix. Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are coated. Next, add 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil. Toss again to blend the flavors. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time helps the flavors meld. Before serving, give it another toss and check the seasoning. Adjust if needed for taste. Enjoy your fresh and zesty spaghetti salad! To enhance the zesty taste, start with fresh ingredients. Use ripe cherry tomatoes and crisp cucumbers. The red or yellow bell pepper adds sweetness and crunch. You can play with the dressing too. Add more Dijon mustard for a sharp kick. A dash of lemon juice gives it a nice zing. Always taste as you go. Adjust salt and pepper for the best flavor. Serve your zesty spaghetti salad in a big, bright bowl. This makes it eye-catching. For a picnic, pack it in a sealed container. It stays fresh and tasty. Pair it with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. You can also serve it as a side dish at barbecues or potlucks. It’s a crowd-pleaser. Garnish the salad for extra flair. Top it with fresh basil leaves. You can also sprinkle more crumbled feta cheese. A light drizzle of olive oil adds shine. For a spicy twist, add a few chili flakes. These little touches make your dish more appealing. Enjoy the vibrant colors and flavors! Pro Tips Chill Time is Key: Letting the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables or whatever you have on hand, such as zucchini or carrots, for a personal touch. Perfect Pasta Texture: Ensure your spaghetti is cooked al dente; this prevents it from becoming mushy when mixed with the dressing. Herb Variations: Experiment with different fresh herbs like parsley or mint for a unique flavor profile that complements the salad. {{image_2}} You can easily make this salad vegetarian. The base is already meat-free. Add more veggies for taste and color. Try adding avocados for creaminess. You can also use artichoke hearts. They add a nice flavor and texture. Want to boost the protein? Add cooked chicken or shrimp. These options work well with the flavors. For a quick fix, use canned chickpeas or black beans. They mix well and add great taste. If you need a gluten-free version, swap the spaghetti for rice noodles. They are light and tasty. You can also use zucchini noodles. They offer a fresh twist and are low in carbs. Make sure your dressing is gluten-free too. Use tamari instead of soy sauce if needed. After you enjoy your zesty spaghetti salad, save the leftovers. Place the salad in an airtight container. Make sure to cover it well. This helps keep the salad fresh. Store it in the fridge. It should stay good for about three days. I do not recommend freezing this salad. The veggies can lose their crunch. The pasta may become mushy too. If you have extra dressing, you can freeze that. Just store it in a small container. It will be great for future salads. Reheating is not needed for this salad. You can enjoy it cold. If you prefer it warm, heat the spaghetti only. Add a bit of olive oil to help it warm up. Mix it again with the salad. This adds a new twist to your meal. Yes, you can make Zesty Spaghetti Salad ahead of time. This salad tastes even better after the flavors mix. I recommend making it a few hours in advance. You can store it in the fridge for up to two days. Just cover it well to keep it fresh. You can add many tasty things to your salad. Here are some ideas: - Cooked chicken or shrimp for protein. - Avocado for creaminess. - Artichoke hearts for a unique flavor. - Spinach or arugula for extra greens. - Nuts like pine nuts or walnuts for crunch. Feel free to mix and match based on your taste! If you find the dressing too tangy, you can make it milder. Try adding more olive oil to balance the vinegar. You can also add a little honey or sugar. This will sweeten it up and tone down the tang. Start with small amounts and taste as you go. In this blog post, we covered the key ingredients for a zesty spaghetti salad, from main components to dressings and swaps. I shared step-by-step instructions for cooking and combining the flavors. We also explored tips to enhance taste, suggested serving methods, and creative garnishes. Variations, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, were discussed, along with storage and reheating advice. Zesty spaghetti salad is easy and fun to make. Enjoy trying new flavors and sharing your own version!

Zesty Spaghetti Salad

A refreshing and colorful salad featuring spaghetti, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz spaghetti, cooked and cooled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 each bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
  • 1 each cucumber, diced
  • 0.5 each red onion, finely chopped
  • 0.25 cup black olives, sliced
  • 0.25 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 0.25 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, diced bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  • Pour the dressing over the spaghetti mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  • Add the chopped basil and give it another gentle toss.
  • Cover the salad with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Before serving, give the salad a good toss and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Notes

Serve chilled for the best flavor.
Keyword salad, spaghetti, vegetarian, zesty