California Spaghetti Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the heartiness of spaghetti with the freshness of a variety of vegetables and a zesty dressing. Here’s a basic recipe that you can adjust according to your taste:
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti: Cooked and cooled
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halved
- Bell Peppers: Diced (you can use different colors for more vibrancy)
- Cucumbers: Sliced
- Red Onion: Finely chopped
- Black Olives: Sliced
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped
For the Dressing:
- Olive Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Garlic: Minced
- Dijon Mustard
- Italian Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Vegetables: Chop the tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, onion, and olives. Set them aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, chopped vegetables, and black olives.
- Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat everything evenly.
- Add Cheese and Herbs: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley over the salad. Toss again gently.
- Chill: Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light main course.