California Pasta Salad

By LKWolfe

Ingredients

• For the Salad Dressing:
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 2 cloves garlic finely minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt or more to taste
• For the Pasta Salad:
• 1 pound thin spaghetti broken into thirds (see note 1)
• 2 medium zucchini diced
• 1 pint grape tomatoes halved (see note 2)
• 1 large hot house cucumber diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper diced
• 1 red onion diced
• 1 (6.5 ounce) can sliced black olives drained (see note 3)

Details

Level of difficulty Average
Cost Average budget

Preparation

Step 1

This delicious and colorful California Pasta Salad is always a hit as part of a party menu. Make this easy pasta salad recipe up to a day ahead if you like; the flavors only get better as it marinates.

A bowl with California pasta salad.

Think outside of the pasta box! Your options for pasta salad can go far beyond short-cut noodles. (Although I’ll never turn down a scoop of The Best Macaroni Salad, bowtie-boosted BLT Pasta Salad, penne-strong Seafood Pasta Salad, or small-grain Orzo Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables.)


I spotted and sampled this creative pasta salad recipe at a potluck party I attended, and was instantly enamored with the idea of spaghetti noodles in pasta salad. My California Pasta Salad recipe punches up the color and flavor with several fresh vegetables and a simple homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette that’s infused with herbs and poppyseeds.


Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
Step-by-step instructions
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Recipe ingredients
Labeled ingredients for California pasta salad.
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.


Ingredient notes
Thin spaghetti: Yes, I know Italian chefs will scoff at me recommending that you break the noodles into thirds. I strongly suggest that you follow suit, however; this allows the pasta to not only cook faster and fit easier into your pot, but also makes it easier to eat.
Grape tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes or chopped Roma, classic, or heirloom tomatoes can also pinch hit.
Canned black olives: I know these are polarizing, so feel free to omit. But I adore the briny element they add to the pasta salad.
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Step-by-step instructions
In a small bowl with a whisk, or in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, oregano, poppy seeds, garlic, paprika, celery seed, and salt. Mix well and allow flavors to blend while preparing the salad.
Bring 4 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions, about 9 minutes. Drain well and rinse in cold water.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl add zucchini, tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, onion, and black olives. Add rinsed pasta and drizzle with salad dressing to taste (you don’t have to use it all)
Toss to combine, cover, and chill at least 2 hours.
hours or overnight.