Time to cool down, Spaghetti Salad

It was a warm one the other day and I wanted something light and refreshing for dinner.  So I called up my Mom and asked her for her spaghetti salad recipe.  As a kid my Mom would make this for us in the summer.  It is great as a side or alone served with some garlic bread.

The fresh vegetables make this a great refreshing meal

Spaghetti Salad – (From Mom)

  • 1lb spaghetti
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 large tomato or 3 Roma tomatoes
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese – the powdered green can stuff works the best in this recipe.
  • 8 oz Zesty Italian Dressing – Recipe Below
  • 2 tbs Salad Supreme Seasoning – Store Bought or see Recipe Below

Zesty Italian Dressing – (From Group Recipes)

  • 1 cup of the vinegar of your choice
  • 1 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil or canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1 tablespoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flake – (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne – (optional)

Salad Supreme Seasoning – (From RecipeZaar)

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon poppy seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 dash cayenne pepper – or more, up to you.  I prefer more.
  • 2 tablespoons Romano cheese

In a large pot bring salted water to a boil. Then cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Remember this salad is served cold so make sure that pasta is tender. The noodles firm up when chilled.  When cooked drain the pasta and then immediately run it under cold water or shock it in ice water to stop the cooking.

Cook and then immediately cool the pasta
Cook and then immediately cool the pasta

Next make the salad dressing. Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk until combined.

Whisk everything together till it emulsifies
Whisk everything together till it emulsifies

Next peel the onion and cucumber   Try to dice up all of the vegetables the same size.  A quick tip is to leave the root end on the peeled onion. This will keep the onion from falling apart when dicing it.

Leaving the root on will make it easier to dice
Leaving the root on will make it easier to dice

Dice up the tomato and the green pepper.  Try to make them all about the same size.

Beautiful Colors
Beautiful Colors

In a large bowl combine all of the vegetables and the pasta.

Make sure to use a large bowl.  1lb of pasta is a lot.
Make sure to use a large bowl. 1lb of pasta is a lot.

Next cover with the Parmesan cheese, Zesty Italian Dressing and 2 tbs of salad supreme seasoning.

Add the dressing, cheese and spices
Add the dressing, cheese and spices

Mix and chill for at least 30 minutes.

You can add more veggies if you like.  I like more tomatoes.
You can add more veggies if you like. I like more tomatoes.

This salad tastes the best if made the day before you want to enjoy it.

Spaghetti Salad great as an entree or an side dish
Spaghetti Salad great as an entree or an side dish

This will be a perfect side dish for those Labor Day Cookouts.

Rex

Rex is an avid griller, barbecuer and bacon enthusiast. He is the Pitmaster for the Rex BBQ competition team. Rex was also featured on the TV show American Grilled. If you have any questions or wish to have Rex decode your favorite dish, click on the ASK REX link in the menu above.

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11 thoughts on “Time to cool down, Spaghetti Salad

  1. Is there a recipie to make this that has sugar instead of dressing, my greatgrandmother made it that way and i have not ben able to find a uesable recipie yet

    1. Kimber, I am sure that there is a recipe out there, but I have not seen one. If you can think of something that has a similar taste to what you are looking for, I could definitely help you with a recipe that could mimic what you are looking for. Doesn't have to be a spaghetti salad, but if you can find anything that has a similar taste I can work it out.

  2. This looks so goodt! We bought cold spaghetti salad from a local deli when I was growing up and can't find it anywhere now…so this is great!! What is the best type of vinegar to use in your opinion? Also…so excited to try!

    1. Bella- Thanks for the comment. This is one of my favorite salads. I use regular distilled white vinegar. If you are not a fan of the harshness of white vinegar I would try apple cider vinegar.

  3. I’ve made this dish many times over the years – folks like it and eat it up. I really appreciate your recipes for homemade Salad Supreme and Italian dressing. I’m going to try them and they ought to make the dish even better. Thank you! Btw, for those who find the vinegar too harsh, add a little sugar, which offsets the sourness.

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