Italian Spaghetti Salad

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. + chilling

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Nov. 15, 2023
This attractive, fresh-tasting Italian spaghetti salad recipe can conveniently be prepared the night before. It makes enough for a crowd! —Lucia Johnson, Massena, New York
Italian Spaghetti Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 package (16 ounces) thin spaghetti, halved
  • 3 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 3 small zucchini, diced
  • 1 large cucumber, halved, seeded and diced
  • 1 medium green pepper, diced
  • 1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
  • 1 bottle (8 ounces) Italian salad dressing
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Chopped fresh parsley, optional

Directions

  1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber and peppers.
  2. Combine the next 7 ingredients; pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. If desired, sprinkle with parsley.

Spaghetti Salad Tips

How long does spaghetti salad last?

This salad will last 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. (For more details, check out our guide to how long food lasts in the fridge!)

What goes well with cold pasta salad?

This salad goes great with grilled recipes like chicken, kabobs or hamburgers!

Can you make cold pasta salad the night before?

Yes! This recipe calls for refrigerating it for at least 2 hours, but allowing it to sit overnight will allow more flavors to develop. (For more ideas, check out these other quick pasta salad recipes.)

Research contributed by Sarah Fischer, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 158 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 168mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.