California Spaghetti Salad: A Fresh, Colorful Twist on Pasta Salad

Looking for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing side dish that’s bursting with fresh flavor? Meet your new favorite: California Spaghetti Salad. This cold pasta salad is a colorful medley of spaghetti noodles, crisp vegetables, and a zesty Italian-style dressing that brings everything together beautifully. Light, refreshing, and easy to prepare, it’s the perfect addition to any picnic, barbecue, or potluck.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or prepping for the week ahead, this salad is a fantastic make-ahead option that actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. It’s a bright and satisfying way to enjoy pasta in warmer weather—and a clever way to sneak more veggies into your meal.

What Is California Spaghetti Salad?

California Spaghetti Salad is a cold pasta salad that swaps traditional short pasta for spaghetti noodles. Tossed with a mix of colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and red onions, and coated in a zesty homemade or bottled Italian dressing, it’s a crisp, refreshing side dish with West Coast flair. Parmesan cheese and black olives add a savory twist, making it as satisfying as it is fresh.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of California Spaghetti Salad:

For the Salad:

• 1 lb spaghetti, broken into thirds
• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red onion, finely sliced
• 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, drained
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Dressing:

• 1 bottle (16 oz) Italian dressing (or homemade if preferred)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for a nutty crunch)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp celery seed
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool the noodles.

Step 2: Prep the Veggies

While the pasta is cooking, chop all your vegetables and set them aside. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell peppers, thinly slice the red onion, and drain the olives.

Step 3: Combine the Salad

In a large bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti, vegetables, black olives, and Parmesan cheese.

Step 4: Add the Dressing

Pour the Italian dressing over the salad. Add in paprika, celery seed, and sesame seeds (if using). Toss everything together until well-coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible. This allows the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb the dressing.

Just before serving, give the salad a good toss and top with a bit of extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.

Why You’ll Love California Spaghetti Salad

🥗 1. Fresh and Flavorful

Thanks to its rainbow of vegetables and tangy dressing, every bite is crisp, refreshing, and full of flavor.

🍝 2. A Fun Take on Traditional Pasta Salad

Using spaghetti instead of short pasta like rotini or penne gives this dish a unique texture that feels light yet satisfying.

🧊 3. Perfect for Make-Ahead

This salad actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours in the frid