This easy cold spaghetti salad is the perfect summer side dish! It’s packed with fresh vegetables, cheese, and creamy Italian dressing, all tossed with tender spaghetti.
Hey, Cousins! As summer slowly approaches, I know you’re all looking for those easy cold pasta salad recipes. I had to circle back to this Easy Cold Spaghetti Salad (formerly known as my Italian Spaghetti Pasta Salad) because this recipe stays in rotation in my household, and it will in yours too!
You don’t need a lot of time or fancy ingredients to make this spaghetti salad. Honestly, you probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen. So let’s get this thing going y’all, and don’t forget to leave me a comment below once you try it!
Easy Spaghetti Salad Ingredients
Here’s a list of the main ingredients you need to make an easy spaghetti salad. Scroll on down to the recipe card to find the complete recipe!
- Spaghetti: I use one pound of regular spaghetti noodles cooked to al dente.
- Italian Salad Dressing: use your favorite store-bought brand or whip out a homemade dressing recipe!
- Greek Yogurt: plain Greek yogurt is my secret ingredient instead of mayo! The creamy yogurt cuts the vinegary flavor of the dressing, making it smooth and creamy.
- Italian Seasoning & Garlic: punch up the Italian flavors with a dried Italian seasoning blend and minced garlic.
- Fresh Basil: the flavor of fresh basil brings together all the Italian flavors from the dressing and seasoning.
- Veggies: I use fresh zucchini, yellow onion, green bell pepper, white mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and canned black olives.
- Cheddar Cheese: I prefer cubed cheddar cheese for a chunk of cheese in every bite, but you can also use shredded cheese.
- Parmesan Cheese: grated parmesan adds a salty bite. I use it in the dressing and as a finishing garnish!
How to Make Easy Cold Spaghetti Salad (+ Video Tutorial)
Watch how I make this quick and easy spaghetti salad recipe, then follow the step-by-step directions below!
Hey cousin! If you loved this video, be sure to watch more of my YouTube video tutorials and blog on my channel!
How to store leftovers
Got leftovers? Toss it into airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Want to make it ahead of time? I suggest not making this dish more than 1 day in advance.
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Spaghetti Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz spaghetti
- 1 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 8 oz Italian dressing
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 4 large basil leaves chopped
- 1 small zucchini chopped
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup white mushrooms sliced
- 1/4 cup smoked sun dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup black olives sliced
- 8 oz cheddar cheese cubed
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper for taste
Optional Garnishes
- Parsley flakes
- Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water until the pasta is cooled.16 oz spaghetti
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and Italian dressing. Mix until well combined. Taste for seasoning.1 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 8 oz Italian dressing
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and minced garlic. Mix until everything is well incorporated.1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 2 tsp minced garlic
- Next, add in the chopped basil, zucchini, onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and cubed cheddar cheese4 large basil leaves, 1 small zucchini, 1 small yellow onion, 1 medium green bell pepper, 1/2 cup white mushrooms, 1/4 cup smoked sun dried tomatoes, 1/4 cup black olives, 8 oz cheddar cheese
- Add in the cool spaghetti pasta and Parmesan cheese, then gently fold all the ingredients. Taste for seasoning, and add salt and pepper if needed.1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, salt & pepper for taste
- Transfer the spaghetti pasta salad to your serving dish or bowl. Garnish with more Parmesan cheese, parsley, and red pepper flakes (if desired).Parsley flakes, Red Pepper Flakes
- Refrigerate until serving. Enjoy!
I love the idea of a creamy pasta salad……this is a winner! All the flavors from fresh veggies and fresh herbs, plus cheese, and creamy dressing makes for a fantastic dish. Pinned. Thanks for sharing. Have a good week! xoxo
Thanks so much Mary!
WOW!!!! This salad looks great and I LOVE all the veggies. Can’t wait to give this a try!
Thanks so much! It’s delicious!
YUM!!! Can’t wait to try!
I can’t wait to try your pasta salad!
Hi Joanne! It’s pretty amazing! I love it.
The recipe says 1/4 black Olives….is that 1/4 cup??????
Yes. Sorry about that.
My husband, and I loved this recipe. Thanks Rosie!
Made this with regular tomatoes. It was so good!
YAY!! So glad that you liked the recipe Mary! XOXO
This dish looks so yummy. I don’t eat dairy, do you think the creamy spaghetti pasta will taste just as good if I was to swap out the yogurt for veganese mayonnaise and also, if I was to sauté the mushrooms? Thanks.
Hi Rosalee! Absolutely! 🙂
Thanks a bunch, Rosie !
Hi Rosie! Just made this and it is wonderful! I switched up some of the veggies and used Romano instead of Parmesan. This is easily adaptable to anyone’s taste! What intrigued me was the use of Greek yogurt in the dressing….love this! Oh so tangy, but not overwhelming. I use Greek yogurt a lot in place of heavier ingredients. This is definitely going into my rotation of pasta salad for summer. Thanks for the recipe! Blessings!
Yumyum
This was so darn good Rosie! Thank you!
I love your recipes so tasty, good, and happy eating you always make my day
Cheers,
Jon