Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad Recipe

The thing I love most about this mediterranean spaghetti salad is how versatile it is. You can customize it with whatever veggies you have on hand, and it always tastes amazing. I’ve definitely had my fair share of cooking struggles along the way. One time, I added way too much red wine vinegar to the dressing (oops!), but thankfully, a little honey saved the day. It’s all about learning and adapting in the kitchen, right?

This dish fits perfectly into our busy family life because it’s quick to make, travels well, and can even be prepped ahead of time. My kids are always asking for this dish! Trust me, once you try this mediterranean spaghetti salad, you’ll be hooked too! The salty feta, briny olives, and tangy dressing…it’s just perfection.

Ingredients for Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad

Let’s dive into what makes this salad so special. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. From the perfectly cooked spaghetti to the tangy dressing, every component is carefully chosen to deliver an unforgettable culinary experience.

Save

Ingredients:

• 1 pound spaghetti, cooked according to package directions and cooled
• 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped

For the Dressing:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

Okay, let’s talk ingredients for a minute. I always use good quality Kalamata olives for my mediterranean spaghetti salad; they have the best flavor. When making mediterranean spaghetti salad, you can find the best sun-dried tomatoes at the Italian deli if you are lucky enough to have one close by! If not, the jarred ones at most supermarkets work just fine. Here’s a mediterranean spaghetti salad trick I learned from my mom: she always adds a pinch of sugar to the dressing to balance the acidity. I don’t always do it, but it’s a good tip to keep in mind!

For busy families, you can prep a lot of these ingredients ahead of time. Chop the veggies, make the dressing, and cook the pasta, then just toss it all together when you’re ready to serve. This not only saves time but also allows the flavors to meld together even more. To save money, I often buy feta in bulk and crumble it myself. As for storage, leftover mediterranean spaghetti salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

How to Make Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad – Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad. Each step is designed to ensure that you achieve the perfect balance of flavors and textures, resulting in a dish that is both satisfying and impressive.

Save

1. First things first, cook your spaghetti according to the package directions. I like to cook mine al dente so it holds its shape well in the salad. Once it’s cooked, drain it and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. This also helps prevent the pasta from sticking together. Set it aside to cool completely. You can even do this a day ahead! This is a great base to start for your mediterranean spaghetti salad.
2. While the spaghetti is cooling, prepare your veggies. Chop the red bell pepper, cucumber, and red onion. I like to slice the red onion super thin so it’s not too overpowering. You can even soak it in cold water for a few minutes to mellow out the flavor. Next you will prepare your feta and herbs to have them ready for your mediterranean spaghetti salad.
3. Now, let’s make the dressing! In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Sometimes I add a little lemon juice for extra zing. Don’t worry if your mediterranean spaghetti salad dressing seems a little strong at first; it will mellow out once it’s mixed with the other ingredients.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti, Kalamata olives, red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, and oregano. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. I learned the hard way with mediterranean spaghetti salad that it’s best to use a light hand when tossing so you don’t break the pasta.
5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step is important because it gives the mediterranean spaghetti salad a chance to really come together. In my kitchen, mediterranean spaghetti salad usually chills for at least an hour, but longer is even better.
6. Before serving, give the salad another toss and taste. Add more salt, pepper, or red wine vinegar if needed. Your mediterranean spaghetti salad should smell like fresh herbs, briny olives, and tangy vinegar.
7. Serve chilled and enjoy! I sometimes sprinkle a little extra feta on top just before serving because, well, you can never have too much feta, right? While the mediterranean spaghetti salad is chilling, I usually get the rest of dinner ready or just relax with a good book.

Serving Suggestions

The versatility of this salad extends to how you serve it. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a side dish, or a crowd-pleasing option for a gathering, this Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad fits the bill.

My family loves this mediterranean spaghetti salad when I serve it with grilled chicken or fish. It’s also fantastic on its own as a light lunch. The kids love our mediterranean spaghetti salad when I pack it in their lunchboxes for school. This mediterranean spaghetti salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks. It’s always a crowd-pleaser. For presentation, I like to serve it in a pretty bowl and garnish it with extra herbs and a drizzle of olive oil. If you have extra mediterranean spaghetti salad, it’s great the next day for lunch. I sometimes add a can of chickpeas or some grilled vegetables to make it a heartier meal.

For a seasonal variation, try adding roasted vegetables like zucchini and eggplant in the summer. In the fall, roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes would be delicious. My friends always ask for this mediterranean spaghetti salad recipe whenever I bring it to a gathering. It’s become my signature dish! The key is to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors.

FAQs About Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad

Got questions? We’ve got answers! Here are some frequently asked questions to help you perfect your Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad.

• Can I make this mediterranean spaghetti salad ahead of time? Absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better after it’s had a chance to chill in the fridge for a few hours. I often make it the day before I need it. You know what I do when my mediterranean spaghetti salad is getting made the day before? I hold off on adding the feta until just before serving so it doesn’t get soggy.
• Can I use a different type of pasta? Of course! While I prefer spaghetti, you can use any type of pasta you like. Penne, rotini, or even orzo would work well. I made a mistake with mediterranean spaghetti salad when I tried using long noodles like fettuccine – it was just too hard to toss and serve!
• I don’t like olives. Can I leave them out? Sure! If you’re not a fan of olives, you can definitely leave them out. Or, you could substitute them with something else you like, such as artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers. My family’s modification is my daughter likes it without olives and my son loves it with extra olives.
• Can I add meat to this salad? Yes, you can! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even salami would be great additions. We’ve all been there with mediterranean spaghetti salad when you are trying to make it heartier. Adding protein definitely helps.
• What if I don’t have fresh herbs? Dried herbs will work in a pinch, but fresh herbs really do make a difference in terms of flavor. If using dried herbs, use about 1 teaspoon of each. I’ve learned that feedback about my mediterranean spaghetti salad is always better when I use fresh herbs.
• Can I use a different type of cheese? If you don’t like feta, you could try using goat cheese or mozzarella instead. Just remember that feta has a distinct salty flavor that really complements the other ingredients. You know what I do when my mediterranean spaghetti salad needs a salty punch? I add a little more feta.
• The dressing is too tart for my taste. What can I do? You can add a little honey or sugar to the dressing to balance the acidity. I sometimes add a squeeze of lemon juice, you can omit that if you’d like. You know what I do when my mediterranean spaghetti salad dressing is too tart? A little bit of sugar to the rescue!

My Final Thoughts and Pro Tips

This mediterranean spaghetti salad recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s so simple, yet so delicious. It’s a dish that I know I can always rely on to impress my friends and family, and it’s a great way to use up leftover ingredients. Plus, it reminds me of all the fun times we’ve had at picnics and barbecues.

Here are some pro tips that I’ve learned along the way.

My Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad Pro Tips:

• Don’t overcook the spaghetti: Al dente pasta holds its shape much better in the salad.
• Taste and adjust the dressing: Make sure the dressing is balanced to your liking before adding it to the salad.
• Let the salad chill: This allows the flavors to meld together and makes the salad even more delicious.

Here are a few mediterranean spaghetti salad variations you can try:

1. Spicy Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a little kick.
2. Lemon-Herb Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad: Add lemon zest and extra fresh herbs to the salad for a brighter flavor.
3. Grilled Vegetable Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad: Grill your favorite vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, and add them to the salad for a smoky flavor.

My daughter loves the lemon-herb version, while my son prefers the spicy one. I encourage you to make this mediterranean spaghetti salad your own and experiment with different flavors and ingredients. I hope your mediterranean spaghetti salad cooking experience is as enjoyable as mine has been. It is so easy to make, and I hope it becomes a staple in your home as it has in mine. I hope it brings just as much joy to your family as it has brought to mine.

Save

Now, go make some mediterranean spaghetti salad and let me know what you think! I promise, you won’t be disappointed!

Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

This Mediterranean Spaghetti Salad is bursting with fresh flavors and vibrant colors. It’s the perfect dish for a summer gathering or a light lunch.

• Author: Zoubida
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Salad
• Method: Cold
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound spaghetti, cooked and cooled
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, parsley, and basil.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the spaghetti mixture and toss to combine.
4. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Notes

For an extra burst of flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice to the dressing. You can also add grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal.