This spaghetti salad is packed with big, bold flavorsโ€”and itโ€™s oh-so-easy to make! Itโ€™s perfect for picnics, backyard barbecues, and potlucks, but also great for work and school lunches!

spaghetti salad in a bowl

If you’re in the mood for Italian food but feel like something different than the standard Alfredo, baked spaghetti, or chicken parmesan, spaghetti salad is a great option. It’s a filling salad that is still light enough to enjoy during the warm summer months, and it has all the flavors of a classic antipasto tray, with salami, olives, cheese, and veggies.

Plus, it’s easy to make and can be tailored to your liking. Win!

spaghetti salad with peppers, cucumbers, salami, onion, olives, cheese

Easy Spaghetti Salad Recipe

As you might guess from the name, spaghetti salad is a pasta salad made with cooked spaghetti noodles and a variety of veggies and add-ins. There are endless variations of this saladโ€”read on and I share some of my favorite ingredient swaps!

There are so many things to love about spaghetti saladโ€”the tangy Italian dressing, the pasta (carbs!), and all of the delicious ingredientsโ€”but I think what I love most of all is how easy it is to throw this together for a party or weeknight meal.

Once you cook the spaghetti, itโ€™s just a matter of tossing everything in a bowl!

(For another noodle-in-salad idea, try my Ramen Noodle Salad!)

ingredients to make spaghetti salad

Ingredients

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

  • Spaghetti โ€“ Of course, you can use another pasta shape, but then this wouldnโ€™t be spaghetti salad anymore!
  • Grape tomatoes โ€“ Chopped tomatoes are fine, too.
  • Cucumbers โ€“ I like English or Persian cucumbers for this recipe because they release less liquid.
  • Salami slices
  • Red onion
  • Bell pepper โ€“ Any color will work!
  • Ripe black olives 
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Italian parsley
  • Fresh basil
  • Italian salad dressing
  • Salt and pepper

Variations and Substitutes

Feel free to add or swap in any of these ingredients, too:

  • Fresh oregano
  • Kalamata or green olives
  • Pepperoncini peppers
  • Pepperoni
  • Prosciutto
  • Roasted eggplant
  • Diced cubes of fresh mozzarella (or small balls of mozzarella)
steps to make spaghetti salad

How to Make Spaghetti Salad

1. Make the Pasta

Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. When itโ€™s done, drain it and rinse it under cold water. Drain until the pasta is as dry as possible; this keeps your salad from getting soggy!

2. Assemble

Combine the prepared vegetables, herbs, and Parmesan in a large bowl. Add the cooked pasta and dressing; toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

spaghetti salad served on a white plate

How to Store Spaghetti Salad

Store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days; this is one of those salads that tastes even better after the flavors mingle for a day or two in the fridge! I donโ€™t recommend freezing this recipe.

spaghetti salad served in a white bowl with a wooden spoon

FAQ

What is spaghetti salad made of?

Everyone has their own version of spaghetti salad, but they all involve spaghetti, a dressing, fresh veggies, and flavorful add-ins like Italian lunch meats and olives.

What goes well with spaghetti salad?

I like to serve spaghetti salad with Easy Grilled BBQ Chicken, Roasted Pork Tenderloin, or Crispy Chicken Strips.

Can I make spaghetti salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! Although it does keep in the fridge for 5 days, for maximum freshness, I recommend making it a day in advance for dinner or a party. This gives the salad enough time for the flavors to develop, but the veggies will still be at their peak.

More Classic Salad Recipes

Spaghetti Salad

This spaghetti salad is packed with big, bold flavorsโ€”and itโ€™s oh-so-easy to make!
No ratings yet
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients  

  • 1 lb spaghetti
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
  • 2 large cucumbers halved and sliced
  • 1 cup salami slices quartered
  • 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 medium bell pepper diced
  • 2 cans ripe olives 2-ยผ ounces each sliced, drained
  • ยพ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 3 tbsp Italian parsley chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped
  • 1 ยฝ cups Italian salad dressing
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain and cool under cold water. Continue to drain to ensure the pasta is as dry as possible.
  • Combine all the prepared vegetables, herbs, and parmesan in a large mixing bowl. Add the drained and dried cooked pasta followed by the dressing. Toss several times to combine. Season to taste.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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