Classic Spaghetti Salad

Classic Spaghetti Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of spaghetti
• ¾ of a long English cucumber, diced
• 1 pint of grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup of diced bell pepper (any color)
• ¼ cup of sliced pitted olives (black or kalamata)
• ⅓ cup of crumbled feta cheese, plus more to taste
• ¼ cup of diced red onion
• 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped

Dressing Options:

Bottled Option:

• 1 cup of Greek vinaigrette dressing

Homemade Option:

• ¼ cup of red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of oregano
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ⅓ cup of olive oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dressing: If opting for homemade dressing, whisk together the red wine vinegar, oregano, honey, and garlic powder in a bowl. Gradually drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to whisk until the dressing is well combined. Set aside.
2. Cook the Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water until it reaches al dente texture, as per the package’s instructions. Once cooked, drain the spaghetti and rinse under cold water to cool it down.
3. Combine the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooled spaghetti, diced cucumber, halved grape tomatoes, diced bell pepper, sliced olives, crumbled feta cheese, diced red onion, and chopped parsley.
4. Dress and Chill: Add your choice of dressing to the salad and toss everything together until well coated. Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.