California Spaghetti Salad made with spaghetti squash is the perfect way to cut carbs! It’s loaded with colorful veggies and is a tasty cold side to any dish.
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Why this California Spaghetti Salad Recipe is a Keeper
This is one of the best spaghetti squash recipes because it’s flavorful and delicious! We all love spaghetti squash as spaghetti pasta but this salad is next level good.
- 30 Minute Prep: Before chilling, you need 30 minutes to prepare this spaghetti squash salad.
- Dressing Ingredients: This salad if filled with fresh vegetables and herbs, and Italian salad dressing, which makes it super refreshing.
- Adaptable: This recipe is customizable to make it your own.
- Makes Great Leftovers: This spaghetti noodle summer salad is even better the next day after potlucks.
If you’re looking for more squash recipes, try these Summer Spaghetti Salad, Copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup and Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Why is my Spaghetti Squash Mushy not Stringy?
If your spaghetti squash is mushy, chances are it’s overcooked. Next time bake the squash skin side down for a shorter period of time.
Ingredient Notes for this California Pasta Salad
You only need a few simple ingredients to make easy spaghetti squash recipes.
- Spaghetti Squash: We’re using spaghetti squash instead of spaghetti in this recipe.
- Roma Tomatoes: Use Roma tomatoes for this recipe. You could also use other plum tomatoes like San Marzanos or cherry tomatoes.
- Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli florets.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for this Zucchini Side Dish
- Add Seeds: You can add the seeds from the spaghetti squash to this salad.
- Protein Pasta: Protein pasta is a great substitute for spaghetti squash. Cook pasta according to package directions.
Summer Salad Pro Tip
Here’s a pro tutorial on How to Cook Spaghetti Squash.
How to Make Easy California Spaghetti Salad
This spaghetti squash recipe comes together in an easy 3 steps.
These are the basic steps for making California Spaghetti Squash Salad. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Combine Ingredients
Place cut spaghetti squash pasta in a large bowl and add the vegetables like tomatoes, broccoli, cucumber, diced bell peppers, onion and black olives.
2. Make the Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together Italian dressing, grated parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, All Purpose Seasoning, paprika and celery seed.
3. Toss Until Coated and Chill
Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate cold pasta salad with spaghetti squash for at least 20 minutes to marinate. You can also cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
Potluck or Picnic Salad Recipe FAQs
Store California spaghetti salad recipes in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
I like to make mine to serve in a few hours or the next day, but it’s good to make ahead and sit in the fridge for just a few days.
Thin spaghetti squash should be soft! Spaghetti squash should be rinsed in cold water before using.
Absolutely! Using fresh herbs will take this salad dressing to the next level.
Expert Tips for Making Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- Spicier: Add in crushed red pepper for a little kick in this California pasta salad recipe. Salad Supreme seasoning is a great addition.
- Other Ingredients: Add in other fresh veggies like radishes or asparagus for some extra crunch or some pepperoni or goat cheese.
- Dice Bacon: Tossing in dice bacon pieces is always a hit at a barbecue cookout.
- Flavor: The longer this delicious pasta salad recipe sits, the more flavorful it gets.
- Seasoning: You can add other seasonings like garlic powder to add more flavors.
- Favorite Pasta: If you’d like to use pasta, add to a large pot of water. You can use spaghetti, rotini, farfalle or macaroni and cook according to the package directions. Make sure to drain well and rinse for a tasty pasta salad.
- Topping: Feel free to top with more shredded parmesan!
What to Serve with Spaghetti Squash Side Dish
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California Spaghetti Squash Salad
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Ingredients
SALAD
- 1 Spaghetti squash, cooked and cooled
- 3 Roma tomatoes , seeded and diced
- 2 cups Broccoli florets
- 1 Cucumber, diced
- 1 Green bell pepper , diced
- 1 Red bell pepper, diced
- 1 Red onion, diced
- 4.5 ouces Black olives, sliced and drained
DRESSING:
- 16 ounces Italian salad dressing
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Celery seed
Instructions
- In a large bowl add prepared spaghetti squash, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumber, bell peppers, onion and olives.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together Italian salad dressing, parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, House Seasoning Blend, paprika and celery seed.
- Pour over salad and toss until coated.
- Cover and chill for at least 20 minutes to overnight.
Christina’s Notes
- Spicier: Add in crushed red pepper for a little kick in this California pasta salad recipe.
- Other Ingredients: Add in other fresh veggies like radishes or asparagus for some extra crunch or some pepperoni or goat cheese.
- Bacon: Tossing in bacon pieces is always a hit at a barbecue cookout.
- Flavor: The longer this delicious pasta salad recipe sits, the more flavorful it gets.
- Seasoning: You can add other seasonings like garlic powder to add more flavors.
- Pasta: If you’d like to use pasta, add to a large pot of water. You can use spaghetti, rotini, farfalle or macaroni. Make sure to drain and rinse.
- Topping: Feel free to top with more shredded parmesan!
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Love all these awesome spaghetti squash tips and this tasty salad! Thanks for the recipe! xox
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
This salad looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
I can’t find where to print from. I go to print the recipe from the Facebook page,the recipe comes up but no button to print. Do zi have to go to your web site?
you can print it right from the page where you commented. Just click on the “print recipe” button right under the photo in the recipe card.