Easy-to-make Spaghetti Salad is the perfect year-round pasta salad for a party, potluck, or feeding a crowd. Tender pasta, pepperoni, and fresh veggies tossed in a delicious homemade vinaigrette dressing make this recipe the ultimate summer pasta dish!
I love pasta salad, and this one, along with my Caprese Pasta Salad and Mediterranean Pasta Salad, is a favorite I make on repeat!
In This Post
When it’s time to make a menu for any gathering, I want simple and uncomplimented recipes. Casual entertaining is my mantra so everyone, including me, is relaxed and happy. A cold pasta salad “fits the bill” for those requirements and is the perfect party side dish.
Easy Cold Spaghetti Salad: My Go-To Pasta Salad
This Italian-inspired pasta salad is a meal prep dream! I make it ahead of time, and let the pasta soak up all that delicious dressing, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. Y’alI, I can’t count the number of picnics, potlucks, church covered dish dinners and cookouts I’ve taken this to and I always bring back an empty bowl!
How Do You Make Spaghetti Salad?
- Cook spaghetti pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
- Add spaghetti, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and pepperoni to a large bowl. Drizzle over the dressing and toss all ingredients together. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Spaghetti Salad Ingredients
- Spaghetti Pasta – You can use regular-sized or thin spaghetti.
- Cherry Tomatoes – Or grape tomatoes, are perfect in this salad.
- Cucumbers – You can use the full-sized cucumbers or the smaller ones.
- Sliced Pepperoni – This gives a hint of meaty flavor and Italian zing.
- Red Onion – The spice of purple onion meshes perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Parmesan Cheese – Adds an additional flavor that compliments the overall dish.
- Parsley –Adds a fresh pop of herby flavor.
- Homemade Vinaigrette Dressing – Once you make this dressing, you’ll always want to have it on hand for other salads, too! It’s made with a handful of pantry staples.
Variations and Additions To Easy Spaghetti Salad
- If you want a tangier, cheesier flavor, swap the parmesan cheese for feta cheese, as in my Couscous Feta Tomato Salad.
- Add bell pepper, black olives, and/or sweet onion.
- Although the recipe calls for “spaghetti pasta,” you can still substitute penne, rotini, or any pasta you choose.
Often Asked Questions and Answers
Absolutely! Follow the recipe directions and store the spaghetti salad in an airtight container. It will keep for up to 3 days.
If you want to keep it vegetarian, add more vegetables. You can also add grilled and chopped pieces of chicken.
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To mix any dressing that may have settled, give the salad a toss before serving.
What Goes With Pasta Salad With Spaghetti Noodles?
The ways to serve this crazy good cold salad are just about endless. It’s a potluck favorite that disappears quickly, and as a fresh veggie pasta salad, it’s a terrific side dish for cookouts.
- Side Dish – Oven Fried Chicken, Crock Pot Pulled Pork or Roast Beef And Cheese Sandwiches.
- Main Dish Salad – Healthy Mushroom Soup, Zucchini Cheese Bread.
More Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes
If you tried this recipe for the best Spaghetti Pasta Salad or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 2 cups grape tomatoes – halved
- 2 cups cucumbers – sliced and halved
- 1 cup pepperoni slices – halved
- ¾ cup red onion – minced
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese – grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley – chopped
- Italian Vinaigrette Dressing – about 1 ¼ cup
Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic – minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
- To a large bowl add spaghetti, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and pepperoni. Drizzle over dressing and toss all ingredients together. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and parsley.
- Serve immediately. **Can be made a day ahead of serving. Store in an airtight container in fridge for up to 3 days.
Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
- Add olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, basil, pepper and salt to a small bowl or jar. Mix together or shake to incorporate all ingredients.
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Lisa
Best spaghetti salad yet!
Thank you, Lisa! I am so happy you liked the recipe and I’m thrilled you are cooking with me.
~Donya
Ginger Phillips
Great, great change-up for spaghetti night!!
Seriously DELICIOUS!!!!
You are the best!
~Thanks
Tracy E LEE
It was delicious
Miska Knezevic
thank you for this recipe!Love it!Today for lunch!
Rita O'MARA
The best and easiest spaghetti salad to make and mangia
Thank you, Rita! I so appreciate the terrific rating as well.
~Donya
Cecilia
I altered it, of course, because I hate onions and cucumbers lol And I forgot the parsley. I also forgot the cheese. But this dressing was so unbelievably delicious that I didn’t need cheese. I mean, it is that good! So yummy! I will be making it again very soon!
Donya
Hey there Cecilia!
Wow! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! It’s always a good idea to really make the dish your own, and alter it to your own tastes, it sounds like you did just that and ended up with an amazing meal! The dressing for this pasta salad goes really well with all kinds of other pasta salads too, you can really play around with the ingredients to fit your own taste. Thank you so much for your kind words of support and your fantastic rating, if you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
~Donya
Aleasia
Made this for potluck dinner at work they still call me for recipe added chicken and schrimp was the bomb
Donya
Hey there Aleasia!
I am thrilled y’all enjoyed this one, good idea bringing it to work because it’s great for a crowd! Chicken and Shrimp sound like an amazing addition, I’ll have to try the Shrimp I’ve never done that. Thank you so much for your rating and your support!
~Donya
Aleasia
Hi made this for potluck at work they still ask for receipe I added chicken and shrimp
CatW
Thanks for a dressing with no sugar!!! Nearly impossible to find in the stores.
Donya
Hey Cat!
Absolutely, happy to help out! Thank you so much for my terrific rating and comment, glad you enjoyed the recipes!
~Donya
Diane
I made this for supper last night. The tomatoes and cucumbers are a great idea – they soak up the SCRUMPTIOUS dressing!! OMGosh, the dressing!! This is definitely going into my recipe box! I have 3 more recipes of yours to try this week! I made the full recipe, for 8. I gave a large serving to my sister, a larger serving to my son (not at home), and still have enough left for 2 small (for me HAHA) servings for either 2 lunches or another light supper for my and my husband. So very delicious!!
Donya
Hey there Diane!
I just want to say thank you for your tremendous support, and great comments and ratings! I am absolutely thrilled that you and your family are liking my recipes so far, they are definitely meant to feed a crowd but food is all about sharing after all. I really hope you enjoy everything, let me know how you like all the recipes as you try them!
~Donya