Spaghetti Salad With Italian Dressing And Salad Supreme

This zesty, crisp Spaghetti Salad With Italian Dressing And Salad Supreme is made with tender pasta, fresh vegetables, and savory spices in just 30 minutes. Watching the pale noodles turn vibrant red as they absorb the seasoning is the most satisfying part of the process. I make this every summer for backyard barbecues because it vanishes faster than the burgers.

Why This Classic Works

I used to think cold pasta salads were bland until I realized the power of the specific spice blend in this recipe. The combination of bottled Italian dressing and Salad Supreme creates a punchy, savory flavor profile that you simply cannot replicate with just salt and pepper.

One mistake I made early on was leaving the vegetable chunks too large. If the cucumber and peppers are bigger than bite-sized, they slide right off the spaghetti, so I learned to dice everything very finely for the perfect forkful.

Spaghetti Salad With Italian Dressing And Salad Supreme Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1 (16 oz) bottle Zesty Italian dressing
• 1 (2.62 oz) jar McCormick Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

How To Make Spaghetti Salad With Italian Dressing And Salad Supreme

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
2. Rinse and Cool: Drain the pasta and immediately rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and wash away excess starch.
3. Chop Vegetables: While the pasta boils, dice the cucumber, onion, and bell peppers into small, uniform pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes.
4. Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk the entire bottle of Italian dressing with the Salad Supreme seasoning until fully combined.
5. Combine and Chill: Toss the cold spaghetti, vegetables, and dressing mixture in a large bowl until evenly coated, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Break the noodles: Snap the dry spaghetti in half before boiling so the long strands are easier to eat and mix with the vegetables.
• Don’t skip the rinse: Rinsing the pasta with cold water is crucial to prevent it from clumping together and ensures the salad stays loose.
• Let it marinate: The flavor improves significantly after sitting in the fridge, as the pasta absorbs the zesty dressing and spices.
• Refresh before serving: The pasta will soak up most of the dressing, so you may need to add a splash of extra dressing or olive oil right before serving.

What To Serve With Spaghetti Salad

This salad is the ultimate side dish for grilled meats like burgers, hot dogs, and BBQ chicken wings. It also pairs beautifully with other summer staples like corn on the cob, watermelon slices, and potato salad.

How To Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This salad actually tastes better the next day, making it an excellent candidate for meal prep or making ahead for parties.

FAQs

What is Salad Supreme?
It is a spice blend by McCormick that contains paprika, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and Romano cheese flavor, designed specifically for pasta salads.

Can I use gluten-free pasta?
Yes, but choose a sturdy blend like corn and quinoa so the noodles don’t break apart when tossed with the heavy vegetables.

Can I add meat to this?
Absolutely, mini pepperoni slices or cubed salami are popular additions that turn this side dish into a hearty main meal.

Nutrition

• Calories: 285
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 2mg
• Sodium: 750mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 38g
• Protein: 7g

Try More Recipes:

• Italian Potato Salad With Green Beans
• Italian Side Salad Recipe
• Italian Green Salad

Spaghetti Salad With Italian Dressing And Salad Supreme

Recipe by Paula

Servings

10

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

Spaghetti Salad With Italian Dressing And Salad Supreme features tender noodles, crunchy cucumbers, and zesty spices tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. This vibrant side dish takes just 20 minutes to prep and is perfect for potlucks. It gets more flavorful as it marinates in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti

• 1 (16 oz) bottle Zesty Italian dressing

• 1 (2.62 oz) jar McCormick Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 large cucumber, diced

• 1 red onion, finely chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
• Drain the pasta and immediately rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and wash away excess starch.
• While the pasta boils, dice the cucumber, onion, and bell peppers into small, uniform pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes.
• In a small bowl, whisk the entire bottle of Italian dressing with the Salad Supreme seasoning until fully combined.
• Toss the cold spaghetti, vegetables, and dressing mixture in a large bowl until evenly coated, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.