Salad Supreme Pasta Salad

Cold pasta salads are perfect to bring to a picnic, cookout or party, as they don’t need to be served warm. This twist on Salad Supreme pasta salad includes brightly colored vegetables to punch up the vibrancy, while cooked spaghetti and a dash of Parmesan satisfy cravings for Italian.

Italian pasta salads are known crowd pleasers that should be in any home chef’s recipe rotation. With this one, there are only seven ingredients—including bottled Italian dressing you probably already have on hand. The key ingredient here, and what makes this salad sparkle, is the McCormick Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning.

If you’re looking for a delicious Italian pasta salad recipe that’s simple to whip up, this is it! With just 15 minutes of prep, then a bit of chill time in the fridge, this pasta salad with Salad Supreme Seasoning is ready to be served.

Ingredients for Salad Supreme Pasta Salad

• Spaghetti: Thin, long noodles—particularly when broken into small pieces—work best with Salad Supreme pasta salad. Both the dressing and Parmesan cling to the noodles, which is what you want.
• Italian salad dressing: Look for a bottled salad dressing containing oil, vinegar and dried seasonings such as basil, oregano, fennel, dill onion and garlic.
• Cucumber: This 95% water-based vegetable adds pops of green to this Salad Supreme pasta salad and complements the Italian dressing’s seasonings.
• Tomato: Any fresh tomato varietal will work.
• Broccoli: Using just the florets for this recipe, not the stalks or stems, adds nice crunch and texture.
• Parmesan cheese: Just 2 tablespoons of this Italian aged cheddar makes this Salad Supreme pasta salad zesty.
• Salad Supreme Seasoning: The Test Kitchen used McCormick Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning, sold in the spice aisle at grocery stores, and highly recommends it for this recipe.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the spaghetti

Nicole Perry for Taste of Home

Boil water in a sauce pot on the stove. While you’re waiting for the water to boil, break the spaghetti into 4-inch pieces.  Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and rinse it in cold water, and set it aside in a large bowl.

Step 2: Chop the vegetables

Nicole Perry for Taste of Home

Dice the cucumber and tomato. Remove the stems from a stalk of broccoli and slice the remainder into florets.

Editor’s Tip: Try to find plum tomatoes, as they contain less water, they’re denser and they won’t cause your salad to wilt right away.

Step 3: Combine all the ingredients

Nicole Perry for Taste of Home

Add the Italian salad dressing, vegetables, Parmesan and Salad Supreme Seasoning to the cooked spaghetti. Toss everything together until all ingredients are combined. Before serving, cover the Salad Supreme pasta salad and refrigerate it for 45 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: While there’s nothing wrong with using grated Parmesan cheese from a can, grating your own from a wedge of Parmesan means you can control the size of the pieces—and it also tastes much fresher!

Nicole Perry for Taste of Home

Salad Supreme Pasta Salad Variations

• Add grapes: High in antioxidants and heart-healthy, seedless red grapes are a staple in this Broccoli Salad Supreme recipe and will also add a touch of sweetness and color here.
• Mix in some meat: While this recipe is meatless, you can easily add a lean protein such as cooked chicken or salmon to make it more of a meal.

How to Store Salad Supreme Pasta Salad

If there are any leftovers, simply put them in a covered, airtight container in the fridge. The salad should stay fresh for three to five days. A good rule of thumb is to examine the salad before tasting. If it’s soggy looking, this means it has likely gone bad.

Can you make Salad Supreme pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. Just be sure to eat it within three to five days, and note that this salad tastes best when vegetables are still crunchy and the pasta is still soft.

Can you freeze Salad Supreme pasta salad?

Pasta salads are one of those recipes that just don’t freeze well. If you don’t think you’ll be able to eat it all within three to five days, simply halve the recipe so you aren’t forced to throw leftovers out.

Salad Supreme Pasta Salad Tips

Nicole Perry for Taste of Home

What if I don’t have McCormick Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning?

While this seasoning is widely available in grocery stores, if for some reason you can’t find it, make your own. Combine sesame seeds, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Can I chop the vegetables ahead of time?

To save time when you’re ready to make your pasta salad with Salad Supreme, dice the tomato and cucumber ahead of time, as well as chop the florets off the broccoli. Just be sure to finish the recipe within two days of chopping the vegetables. If the vegetables are no longer crunchy, and are instead soft, it’s not recommended to resume making the recipe.

Can I cook the pasta ahead of time?

Waiting for the water to boil so you can cook pasta when you’re already limited on time can be frustrating. It’s totally fine to cook the pasta the day prior, then resume making the salad the next day. First, allow the pasta to cool, then toss it with 2 tablespoons of olive oil before storing it in a covered container in the fridge.