Description
Mediterranean spaghetti salad brings zesty flavors from Italy’s coastal regions to your table. Crisp vegetables, tangy herbs, and perfectly cooked pasta create a refreshing dish you’ll crave all summer long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) spaghetti
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup black olives
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1/4 cup green onions
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Cook spaghetti until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Immediately drain pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt cooking process. Shake colander to remove excess moisture.
- Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Italian seasoning in a spacious mixing bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper to create a vibrant dressing.
- Slice cherry tomatoes, dice cucumbers, chop red onion, and halve olives. Add these fresh vegetables to the prepared dressing and gently toss to ensure even coating.
- Allow vegetable mixture to marinate for 5-7 minutes, which helps develop deeper flavor profiles and allows tomatoes to release natural juices.
- Combine cooled pasta with marinated vegetables, gently folding ingredients to distribute evenly. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese throughout the salad.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving for enhanced flavor melding.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish or light meal.
Notes
- Rinse pasta thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping, ensuring a crisp texture for the salad.
- Marinate vegetables in dressing beforehand to enhance flavor absorption and create a more vibrant taste profile.
- Customize the salad by swapping feta with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese for plant-based diets.
- Prepare the salad ahead of time and refrigerate for deeper flavor infusion, making it a perfect make-ahead dish for gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg