Zesty Spaghetti Pasta Salad with McCormick Salad Supreme
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This easy Zesty Spaghetti Pasta Salad with McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning is perfect for summer potlucks, family gatherings, game night feasts, or whatever comes your way this season!
With fresh summer veggies, it’s an excellent side dish with irresistible flavor that will keep your guests returning for more and more.
Make this versatile summer side dish your own by including your favorite ingredients. Add fresh broccoli florets, carrots, green pepper, green onions, or other fresh veggies.
Feel free to swap out the veggies you don’t like for ones you do or add more, making the pasta salad have all the colors of the rainbow!
For more recipes like this Italian spaghetti salad, check out my Creamy Macaroni Salad with Peas, this Broccoli Bacon Salad, and the refreshing Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad.
Key ingredients & substitutions for Italian Pasta Salad
- Spaghetti noodles | I like to make this pasta salad with thin spaghetti noodles, cooked and drained, but any pasta will do. Spiral noodles are another popular choice.
- Large cucumber | You’ll need one English cucumber, or use zucchini if preferred.
- Green bell pepper | Add diced green bell pepper, or your favorites, like red bell pepper or a combination.
- Onion | Mix in some chopped sweet onion. Yellow, white, or red onion also works.
- Tomatoes | Choose either grape or cherry tomatoes to add to the salad.
- Olives | Add a drained can of sliced black olives for tangy and savory notes.
- Italian salad dressing | Drizzle and toss with zesty Italian dressing to add delicious flavor to this easy pasta salad recipe.
- Seasoning | The secret ingredient in this simple recipe is McCormick’s Salad Supreme Seasoning. It brings all the tastes together in the best way — DELISH!
Must-Have Salad Supreme Seasoning
Colorful garnish with lively flavor; add a savory punch to salads, pasta, or chicken.
- no artificial flavors
- no MSG added*
How to make California Spaghetti Salad recipe
In just four simple steps, you’ll have a delicious zesty pasta salad worthy of any gathering, like a potluck, holiday, or family dinner!
STEP 1 | Cook pasta
First, cook spaghetti noodles as directed on the packaging until it is al dente. Drain well.
STEP 2 | Transfer noodles to bowl
Next, add the warm pasta to a large mixing bowl.
STEP 3 | Add fresh vegetables
Then, dice the cucumber, green bell peppers, and onion, and add them to the bowl. Also, half the juicy tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
STEP 4 | Toss with seasoning and dressing and chill
Lastly, sprinkle on the seasoning and toss with the Italian dressing. Cover and refrigerate the bowl to chill until you’re ready to serve. If desired, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
tips
- If you’d like, swap the parmesan for grated or shredded fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Depending on your preference or those you are serving, dice and chop the veggies to your liking. You can make them smaller or larger, whichever you’d like!
- Add salami or pepperoni to this pasta salad recipe for a heartier dish.
Frequently asked questions
The McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning is a tasty mix of fresh summer flavors, including red pepper, poppy seeds, paprika, romano cheese, garlic, sunflower oil, cheddar cheese, and more!
Keep leftovers or make this supreme pasta salad recipe ahead by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It’s best to serve it within 3 to 4 days. The veggies may lose their original texture after a few days, even if the salad is still safe.
You want to keep a few things in mind when making pasta salad. First, the shape and size of the pasta matter. For this recipe, I recommend thin spaghetti noodles. Second, be sure not to under or overcook the pasta by closely following the directions on the packaging. Also, it’s key to mix the ingredients while the pasta is still warm so they fully incorporate.
If you can’t get your hands on this delicious seasoning mix, make your own using the main ingredients listed above.
Serving suggestions
When I think of cold spaghetti salad, my mind immediately goes to juicy and cheesy burgers. It’s the perfect combination for a family cookout, feeding a crowd for lunch, or just a typical weeknight dinner.
Try this Blueberry Blue Cheese Bacon Burger for something extra delicious and unique. Or keep things simple with this classic Italian Garlic Butter Burger.
While you’re at it, check out my Hawaiian Burgers and this healthier Greek Turkey Burger recipe.
Behind the recipe: Delicious Pasta Salad
McCormick is a massive leader in the spice and seasoning industry, and it has been for some time. Since 1947, the company has been recognized as one of the most trusted and widespread in the nation!
But let’s rewind a little bit. Where did this successful spice company start? Believe it or not, the beginning of the McCormick story is in a basement.
In 1889 the founder and a few other hard workers sold their products door to door, working from a cellar. After the company was further established, it ran into a time of change when the Great Depression hit.
They decided to raise the pay for their employees and cut the hours to help during the trying times. This was also when McCormick began its tradition of giving away turkeys for Thanksgiving.
McCormick has always been a company that looks out for its employees and the nation’s people. They take their craft seriously, always working to improve their product, which makes them successful. You can always trust a McCormick product.
Zesty Spaghetti Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. thin spaghetti noodles cooked and drained
- 1 English cucumber
- 1 large green bell pepper
- ½ cup sweet onion chopped
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 2.4 oz. can sliced black olives drained
- 1 16 oz. bottle Italian Salad dressing
- 2 tablespoons McCormick's Salad Supreme seasoning
Instructions
- Cook and drain the spaghetti noodles.
- Add the drained spaghetti noodles to a large bowl.
- Dice the cucumber, green bell pepper, and onion and add to the bowl. Slice the tomatoes in half and add to the bowl.
- Sprinkle on the seasoning and toss with the Italian dressing. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. If desired, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- If you’d like, swap the parmesan for grated or shredded fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Depending on your preference or those you are serving, dice and chop the veggies to your liking. You can make them smaller or larger, whichever you’d like!
- Add salami or pepperoni to this pasta salad recipe for a heartier dish.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
About Sheila Thigpen
Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer
Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.
I made it for July 4th and everyone Loved it. There were only 7 of us at the picnic and I made a huge bowl and there was very little left!)
We’ve been making this for years (minus black olives) everyone loves it