Italian Spaghetti Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean flair, Italian Spaghetti Salad is the perfect go-to recipe for summer gatherings or a quick weeknight dinner. This vibrant dish combines al dente spaghetti with crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, and tangy kalamata olives, all tied together with creamy mozzarella pearls and fragrant fresh basil. A zesty homemade Italian dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Italian seasoning elevates each bite with bold, savory flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, this cold pasta salad is ideal for meal prep, picnics, or potlucks, and it's best served chilled to let the flavors truly shine. Whether you're looking for a healthy side dish or a light main course, this Italian Spaghetti Salad will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams spaghetti
• 250 grams cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 small red onion
• 100 grams kalamata olives
• 200 grams mozzarella pearls
• 15 grams fresh basil leaves
• 60 milliliters extra virgin olive oil
• 45 milliliters red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Step 2

While the spaghetti is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes in halves, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red bell pepper and red onion, and slice the kalamata olives if they are whole.

Step 3

Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, olives, mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil leaves (torn into small pieces).

Step 5

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the spaghetti salad and toss everything together until well combined and evenly coated.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar to your preference.

Step 8

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and garnish with additional basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1364.3 grams (1364.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1644

Total Fat 88.40g	113%
Saturated Fat 12.60g	63%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3660mg	159%
Total Carbohydrate 183.80g	67%
Dietary Fiber 24.80g	89%
Total Sugars 23.00g
Protein 33.30g	67%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 318mg	24%
Iron 15mg	86%
Potassium 1632mg	35%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.8%

Protein: 8.0%

Carbs: 44.2%