Picnic Spaghetti Salad
Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, Picnic Spaghetti Salad is the ultimate make-ahead dish for any outdoor gathering or casual meal. This vibrant cold pasta salad combines perfectly al dente spaghetti with crisp vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper, along with tangy black olives and zesty red onion. Tossed in a homemade dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and Italian seasoning, every bite is a harmony of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Finished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this recipe is as easy to prepare as it is crowd-pleasing. Ready in just 25 minutes (including prep and cook time) and ideal for serving cold, this salad is a refreshing treat for picnics, potlucks, or lazy summer days.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams spaghetti
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup black olives
- 0.33 cup parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water to cool, and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the black olives.
In a small bowl or jar, prepare the dressing by combining olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake well until emulsified.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and parsley.
Pour the dressing over the spaghetti mix and toss to coat evenly.
Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top and gently fold it into the salad.
Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with additional parsley if desired. Serve cold and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1644 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 79.2 g | 102% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.4 g | 87% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 29 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 3215 mg | 140% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 191.4 g | 70% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.9 g | 60% | |
| Total Sugars | 35.7 g | ||
| Protein | 42.8 g | 86% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 538 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 16.1 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 1347 mg | 29% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
