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California Spaghetti Salad

This California Spaghetti Salad is a refreshing pasta dish bursting with colorful vegetables and tossed in a zesty Halal Italian dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a satisfying dinner, the salad tastes even better after marinating in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Veggies
  • 1 pound thin spaghetti broken into thirds
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 small red onion finely chopped
  • 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives drained
Dressing
  • 1 bottle (16 oz) Halal Italian dressing
  • ½ cup grated Halal Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon celery seed
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Cutting board
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti broken into thirds and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow it to drain thoroughly to avoid a soggy salad.
  3. While the pasta cools, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper; finely chop the red onion; halve the cherry tomatoes; and drain the sliced black olives.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta and all the prepared vegetables.
  5. In a separate bowl or jar, mix together the Halal Italian dressing, grated Halal Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, paprika, garlic powder, celery seed, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss well to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
  7. Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, stir the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Notes

For a protein boost, feel free to add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to convert this side salad into a complete meal. The flavors deepen after a few hours in the refrigerator, making it ideal for meal prep. Use the highest quality vegetables you can find, and if desired, customize by adding diced avocado or fresh herbs like basil for extra flair.