Picnic Spaghetti Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, Picnic Spaghetti Salad is the ultimate make-ahead dish for any outdoor gathering or casual meal. This vibrant cold pasta salad combines perfectly al dente spaghetti with crisp vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper, along with tangy black olives and zesty red onion. Tossed in a homemade dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and Italian seasoning, every bite is a harmony of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Finished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this recipe is as easy to prepare as it is crowd-pleasing. Ready in just 25 minutes (including prep and cook time) and ideal for serving cold, this salad is a refreshing treat for picnics, potlucks, or lazy summer days.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams spaghetti
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 cup black olives
• 0.33 cup parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water to cool, and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the black olives.

Step 3

In a small bowl or jar, prepare the dressing by combining olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake well until emulsified.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and parsley.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the spaghetti mix and toss to coat evenly.

Step 6

Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top and gently fold it into the salad.

Step 7

Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8

Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with additional parsley if desired. Serve cold and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1232.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1644.1

Total Fat 79.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.8g
Cholesterol 29.3mg	0%
Sodium 3215.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 191.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.9g	0%
Total Sugars 35.7g
Protein 42.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 537.5mg	0%
Iron 16.1mg	0%
Potassium 1346.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.2%

Protein: 10.4%

Carbs: 46.4%