California Spaghetti Salad is a great summer side dish for gatherings. It’s loaded with fresh veggies, full of flavor and can be made days in advance!
Summer time fun is just around the corner and it’s time to start planning the menu for picnics and barbeques. One of my favorite side dishes to bring to a backyard cookout is California Spaghetti Salad. It’s loaded with so many veggies, it will leave you feeling full and satisfied. You can even make a healthy version of it!
What is California Spaghetti Salad?
It’s a cold side dish that is a mixture of ingredients you would typically find in a pasta salad. Just like regular spaghetti salad, its origins are of Italian descent but completely different in preparation and ingredients.
What to Serve with Spaghetti Salad
Here are some ideas for what else to serve alongside your California Spaghetti Salad at your next gathering.
- Warm Garlic Bread – The combination of both the pasta salad and the warm bread is a great complement to any main dish.
- Hamburgers and Hot Dogs – a classic main dish that everyone loves with a pasta salad.
- Steak – The steak will complement the flavors of the salad and will create a perfect combination for your meal.
- Grilled Chicken – grilled chicken breasts are a great addition if you want a lighter meal. You could even use chicken thighs in place of breasts if you’d prefer more flavor from dark meat.
- Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrimp skewers are easy to make and adds a bit of protein and extra flavor to your meal.
- Corn on the Cob – corn on the cob is a classic summer side dish that pairs well with almost anything, especially grilled meats like chicken or shrimp!
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Feel free to swap out vegetables for other ones such as broccoli or anything else you desire.
- Other pasta shapes would work for this also such as thin spaghetti or rotini.
- Make a healthy version by swapping out the noodles for zucchini spirals.
- Can swap out parmesan cheese for something like feta cheese.
- Make sure to cool the pasta noodles before mixing everything together as it’s best to serve when cold.
- Can make this spaghetti salad up to 3 days in advance. Make per directions and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. Give it a gentle toss prior to serving.
- Store remaining leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
California Spaghetti Salad Ingredients
16 ounce angel hair pasta, cooked
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 zucchini, diced
1 cucumber, diced
10 ounce bag of frozen peppers & onions
16 ounce Italian dressing
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
How to Make California Spaghetti Salad
Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside to allow to cool.
In a large serving bowl, whisk together Italian dressing, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese.
Add cooled pasta, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, and onions to the bowl. Mix together.
Cover and store in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Toss gently prior to serving and enjoy!
More Summer Side Dishes
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Berry Chicken Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Chipotle Ranch Pasta Salad
California Spaghetti Salad
California Spaghetti Salad is a great summer side dish for gatherings. It's loaded with fresh veggies, full of flavor and can be made days in advance!
Ingredients
- 16 ounce angel hair pasta, cooked
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 10 ounce bag of frozen peppers & onions
- 16 ounce Italian dressing
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside to allow to cool.
- In a large serving bowl, whisk together Italian dressing, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese.
- Add cooled pasta, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, and onions to the bowl. Mix together.
- Cover and store in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Toss gently prior to serving and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Feel free to swap out vegetables for other ones such as broccoli or anything else you desire.
- Other pasta shapes would work for this also such as thin spaghetti or rotini.
- Make a healthy version by swapping out the noodles for zucchini spirals.
- Can swap out parmesan cheese for something like feta cheese.
- Make sure to cool the pasta noodles before mixing everything together as it's best to serve when cold.
- Can make this spaghetti salad up to 3 days in advance. Make per directions and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. Give it a gentle toss prior to serving.
- Store remaining leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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