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**California Spaghetti Salad: A Fresh, Flavorful Twist on a Classic Salad! 
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If you’re looking for a vibrant, refreshing dish that’s perfect for warm weather gatherings, BBQs, or just a light lunch, **California Spaghetti Salad** is the answer! This simple yet flavorful salad combines the heartiness of spaghetti with fresh vegetables, tangy dressing, and a variety of textures that make it an irresistible dish. Plus, it’s easy to make, packed with color, and bursting with delicious flavors that everyone will love.
Let’s dive into the recipe and see why California Spaghetti Salad should be your next go-to dish!
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**Ingredients:**
– 8 oz (half a package) spaghetti, cooked and cooled
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
– 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
– 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
– 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for extra flavor)
#### For the Dressing:
– 1/2 cup olive oil
– 3 tbsp red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
– 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
– 1 tbsp honey (or sugar, for sweetness)
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 1/2 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
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**Instructions:**
1. **Cook the Spaghetti**
Start by cooking the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. This helps keep the pasta from becoming too mushy in the salad.
2. **Prepare the Vegetables**
While the pasta is cooling, prepare the veggies. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, finely chop the red onion, and slice the olives. These fresh ingredients will add crunch, color, and flavor to your salad.
3. **Make the Dressing**
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, oregano (or Italian seasoning), salt, and pepper. Whisk until everything is fully combined. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings as needed. You can add a bit more honey for sweetness or more vinegar for tanginess, depending on your preference.
4. **Combine Pasta and Veggies**
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti with all of the prepared vegetables: tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and olives. Give it a good toss to mix everything evenly.
5. **Add the Dressing**
Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables, then toss the salad until everything is well coated. The dressing adds a perfect balance of tanginess and richness to complement the fresh, crunchy veggies.
6. **Garnish and Serve**
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