Colorful California Pasta Medley Salad Recipe for Sunny Days

Summer’s vibrant colors dance through this zesty California pasta medley salad that bursts with fresh ingredients and tantalizing flavors.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients mingle delightfully in every colorful bite.

Crisp vegetables and tender pasta create a delectable harmony on your plate.

Each forkful promises a refreshing journey through California culinary landscape.

The recipe captures the essence of sunny afternoons and relaxed gatherings.

Loaded with wholesome ingredients, this salad brings a delightful twist to your summer menu.

You’ll fall in love with its bright, bold taste that celebrates fresh, local produce.

Tools That Help with California Pasta Prep

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with enough space to prevent sticking.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta and rinsing with cold water quickly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining all salad ingredients and mixing.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and parsley chopping.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately season the salad with salt, pepper, and seasonings.
• Tongs: Great for gently mixing and coating ingredients with dressing.
• Grater: Needed to shred Parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Putting Together a California Pasta Salad

• Pasta Base

Cook spaghetti noodles in salted water until tender. Rinse with cold water and let cool completely.

• Veggie Explosion

Chop fresh cucumber, red and green bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and black olives. Combine these colorful ingredients with cooled pasta in a spacious mixing bowl.

• Flavor Awakening

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and Salad Supreme seasoning over the mixture. Drizzle Italian dressing generously and blend everything together. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the taste profile.

• Chill and Marinate

Place the salad in the refrigerator for about an hour. This resting period allows the ingredients to mingle and develop a harmonious flavor.

• Serving Sensation

Give the salad a final gentle toss right before serving. The result is a vibrant, refreshing dish that works perfectly as a side or light meal. Enjoy the burst of Mediterranean-inspired flavors at room temperature or chilled.

Tips for Flavorful Pasta Salad Options

• Swap spaghetti with rotini, penne, or bow-tie pasta for different textures and visual appeal.
• Toss in grilled chicken, salami, or shredded rotisserie chicken to transform this into a more substantial meal.
• Replace bell peppers with zucchini, artichoke hearts, or roasted eggplant for unique flavor profiles and added nutrition.
• Sprinkle fresh basil, add crumbled feta cheese, or mix in some pine nuts for extra crunch and Mediterranean flair.

Serve California Pasta Salad the Right Way

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Serve this colorful pasta salad in a large glass bowl to showcase the vibrant vegetables and make your spread look stunning at outdoor gatherings.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the salad with grilled chicken strips, crumbled feta cheese, or canned tuna to transform it into a more substantial meal with extra protein.
• Mediterranean Twist: Pair this salad with warm garlic bread, a crisp white wine, or serve alongside grilled kebabs for a complete Mediterranean-inspired dining experience.
• Leftover Love: Store the salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, giving you a quick and delicious lunch or side dish option throughout the week.

Save That Pasta Salad for the Next Day

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container with a tight-sealing lid to maintain freshness and prevent ingredient separation.
• Refrigerate Quickly: Keep the pasta medley chilled at 40°F or below, ensuring maximum flavor preservation and food safety for up to 3-4 days after preparation.
• Prevent Soggy Texture: Avoid adding dressing to the entire batch if you plan to store leftovers; keep dressing separate and add just before serving to maintain crisp vegetable crunch.
• Refresh Before Serving: Gently stir the salad and potentially add a small splash of fresh Italian dressing to revive the flavors and restore moisture when ready to enjoy stored portions.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 227 kcal

Servings: 9

California Pasta Salad Ingredient Breakdown

• Spaghetti Noodles: Versatile pasta that creates a perfect foundation for this vibrant Mediterranean-inspired medley, choosing whole wheat or regular based on dietary preferences.

• Cucumber, Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onion, Black Olives, Parsley: Colorful vegetable ensemble bringing crisp textures, bright flavors, and nutritional punch, selecting ripe, firm produce for maximum taste and visual appeal.

• Parmesan Cheese, Salad Supreme Seasoning, Italian Dressing, Salt, Black Pepper: Zesty combination of tangy, herbal, and savory elements that elevate the salad's overall taste profile, opting for freshly grated Parmesan and high-quality bottled dressing for optimal flavor complexity.

Vibrant California Pasta Medley Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Pasta lovers will adore this California pasta medley salad packed with fresh ingredients and zesty flavors. Mediterranean-inspired and perfect for summer gatherings, you can enjoy this colorful dish that combines crisp vegetables with perfectly seasoned pasta.

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Ingredients

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• 16 oz (454 g) spaghetti noodles, broken into pieces
• ¾ cup (180 ml) Italian dressing
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup (50 g) sliced black olives
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) Salad Supreme seasoning
• ¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Boil Pasta: Salt water generously and cook spaghetti noodles in a large pot until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Dice cucumber, bell peppers, halve cherry tomatoes, slice red onion, black olives, and chop parsley in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a colorful vegetable medley.
3. Combine and Season: Add cooled spaghetti to vegetable mixture, gently fold ingredients together, sprinkle Parmesan cheese and Salad Supreme seasoning throughout the salad.
4. Dress and Marinate: Drizzle Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables, season with kosher salt and black pepper, then toss thoroughly to ensure even coating and flavor distribution.
5. Chill and Serve: Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60-90 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then give a final gentle toss before serving chilled as a refreshing side dish or light meal.

Notes

• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for 60-90 minutes to allow ingredients to marinate and develop a rich, harmonious taste profile.
• Rinse Pasta Properly: Immediately rinse cooked spaghetti under cold water to stop cooking, prevent sticking, and cool down quickly for the salad.
• Precise Dressing Technique: Use tongs to gently toss and coat every ingredient evenly, ensuring a balanced distribution of Italian dressing and seasonings.
• Serve at Optimal Temperature: Keep the salad chilled until serving and give a final gentle toss to revive the flavors and maintain its fresh, vibrant character.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 227
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg