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    Soulfully Made » Salads » Shelly's Spaghetti Pasta Salad

    Shelly's Spaghetti Pasta Salad

    Nikki Lee Published:May 31, 2019 | Updated: August 17, 2021

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Recipe Save Saved!

    Shelly's Spaghetti Pasta Salad is a light and vibrant pasta salad made with thin spaghetti noodles, olive oil, seasoned salt, lemon juice, and fresh crunchy garden veggies. It's always a hit when entertaining and perfect for a crowd!

    A bowl filled with Shelly\'s Spaghetti Pasta Salad with black olives and chopped bell peppers


    Shelly's Pasta Salad is a delicious & simple angel hair pasta with a light marinade (dressing) and bright fresh veggies.

    First, I must tell you all who Shelly is. Shelly is my sister Lauren's mother in law. So that makes her family. Us southerner's kind of just do that, whether ya like it or not! I have to say I always felt I had the best in law's in the entire world. But my sister got lucky too! Being blessed with family that loves us beyond measure is so wonderful.

    Now we feel Shelly's Pasta Salad is a one of her best qualities! Ha Ha - not really, she is the greatest and oh so sweet, but we really like it a lot (In my best Jim Carey accent).

    Everyone loves this and it is gobbled up! Even Drew (my son) eats this and he doesn't like green peppers, olives, or onions. Yes, it is that good!! This on is a hit all summer long when we get together around the pool, on a picnic or just a spontaneous Sunday family dinner.

    It really is easy to make, but oh so tasty. According to her strict instructions this is a 3-day process (That's the secret). Since I was making this in "Blog time", I cheated and made it all in one day. It turned out "almost" as good as Shelly's, but the second day it tasted just like hers - shhhh don't tell her I cheated - wink wink.

    What ingredients are needed for Spaghetti Pasta Salad?

    • Thin Spaghetti Noodles or Angel Hair Pasta
    • Lawry's Seasoned Salt
    • Olive Oil
    • Lemon Juice
    • Red & Green Bell Pepper
    • Red Onion
    • Black Olives
    • Celery
    A bowl filled with Shelly\'s Spaghetti Pasta Salad with black olives and chopped bell peppers

    How to Make Spaghetti Pasta Salad

    Step 1 | Mix Pasta in Marinate and Refrigerate Overnight

    (Shelly's Recipe call to make this on DAY 1)

    • Mix the Marinade (Dressing)
    • Boil Pasta to al dente & Drain Water from the Pasta
    • Put Pasta in large airtight container with lid. Pour on marinade and shake.
    • Refrigerate
    • Every once in a while, shake it again

    Step 2 | Add Veggies

    (Shelly's Recipe call to make this on DAY 2)

    • Cut and add all the veggies
    • Place lid back on container and shake
    • Then Shake every once in a while for good measure and taste
    • Marinate overnight

    Shelly says don't forget the shaking 😉

    Step 3 | Toss Pasta Salad and Serve

    (Shelly's Recipe call to make this on DAY 3)

    • Eat it all up
    • Shelly waits an extra day and does this on day 3.  I did this at blog speed and added my veggies in the early morning and served later in the day and it was delicious. - I do this on the 2nd day.
    Fork Full of Spaghetti Pasta Salad with Fresh Veggies in a BLue Bowl

    This pasta is so versatile and is perfect with a variety of menus, YA GOTTA LOVE THAT. You may just find it debuting on many of your menus too!

    Perfect Additions to your Summer Menu

    • American Flag Dip
    • Honey Chipotle BBQ Wings
    • Chopped Greek Salad with Greek Potato Salad
    • Best Key Lime Pie Recipe
    • Creamy Banana Pudding

    Hungry for more easy, home-cooked, delicious recipes?

    Sign up for my free recipe club to get family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    A bowl filled with Shelly's Spaghetti Pasta Salad with black olives and chopped bell peppers

    Spaghetti Pasta Salad

    Author: Nikki Lee
    4.91 from 10 votes
    This Spaghetti Pasta Salad is a light and vibrant pasta salad made with thin spaghetti noodles, olive oil, seasoned salt, lemon juice, and fresh crunchy garden veggies. It's always a hit when entertaining and perfect for a crowd!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Save Saved! Pin Recipe Rate
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 7 mins
    Chilling Time 1 d
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 191 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Marinade (Dressing)

    • 2 tablespoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
    • 3 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 4 tablespoon olive oil

    Pasta Salad

    • 1 lb angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti noodles
    • ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
    • ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
    • 2 6.5 ounce cans black olives, sliced (I used 1 & ½- 3.8 ounce & topped with remaining for garnish)
    • ¾ cups red onion, diced , (I used ½ cup)
    • 1 cup celery, diced

    Instructions
     

    Marinate Pasta in Dressing - Shelly's Instructions make 2 Days before Serving

    • Mix up pasta marinade (dressing).
    • Cook Pasta according to package to al dente (do not add salt to water) and drain. Do NOT rinse. Pour immediately in an air tight bowl with lid. Pour on marinade (dressing), toss to mix up and coat pasta. Refrigerate over night. Every once in a while give the bowl a shake to coat pasta.

    Pasta Salad - Shelly's Instructions make 1 Day before Serving

    • Add celery, onion, red & green bell peppers,& olives. Shake in bowl.  Refrigerate Overnight. Every once in a while give the bowl a shake to coat pasta. 
    • Toss before serving and garnish as desired.

    ✱ Nikki's Tips

    I made the pasta marinade in the morning the day before serving. Refrigerated for 2 hours. Added veggies, shook it up. Back into refrigerator. Shaking periodically when I thought about it. Then tasted early that evening. It was wonderful. Even better the next day. 
     
    If you are crunched for time, it is still very good the day of. But this is a great make ahead pasta - Just like Shelly Makes it is the BEST! Super easy and light! Our family can't get enough of it!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 191 kcal Carbohydrates: 30 g Protein: 5 g Fat: 5 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Sodium: 1174 mg Potassium: 149 mg Fiber: 2 g Sugar: 2 g Vitamin A: 255 IU Vitamin C: 15.3 mg Calcium: 14 mg Iron: 0.6 mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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      RATE THIS RECIPE




    1. Stacy L says

      August 02, 2021 at 1:03 pm

      I made this yesterday. Yummy, however...I personally believe you should use half the amount of spaghetti or double all the veggies. I have way more noodles to pasta. Also, I added more lemon juice, but my lemons were on the small side.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        August 03, 2021 at 8:59 am

        It's perfectly fine to double up on veggies for sure! I am glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Deb says

      June 09, 2019 at 9:31 pm

      5 stars
      This pasta salad is perfect for summertime, on the menu for this week - yum!!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        June 25, 2019 at 3:12 am

        I hope you enjoyed it! I love that it is a lighter choice!

        Reply
    3. Julie says

      June 09, 2019 at 9:16 pm

      5 stars
      This salad is bright and beautiful! It's going to be perfect for our summer potlucks and picnics!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        June 25, 2019 at 3:12 am

        Thank you so much Julie!

        Reply
    4. Sandra Shaffer says

      June 09, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      5 stars
      I saw this recipe on IG and had to check out the details. What a simple marinade and I love cold pasta salads. This is happing this week to share with guests we're having over the weekend. I have plenty of time to follow Shelly's 3-day process!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        June 25, 2019 at 3:14 am

        I was so thrilled when Shelly shared this one with me! It's always a hit. Although, I do usually skip a day and cheat lol!

        Reply
    5. Michaela Kenkel says

      June 05, 2019 at 11:49 pm

      5 stars
      Served this over the weekend at a family cookout and it was the first thing gone!! Great recipe!!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        June 08, 2019 at 10:39 am

        I am so glad everyone enjoyed it! I love that it was a hit! Thank you so much for sharing it with friends <3

        Reply
    6. michele says

      June 04, 2019 at 3:03 am

      5 stars
      I made it two days ahead and cant believe how yummy the marinade was and how it really got into the pasta! I LOVED it!! Definitely making this again!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        June 04, 2019 at 9:28 am

        It's amazing the flavor by letting it marinate! So good and a nice light one that doesn't lack in flavor!

        Reply
    7. Julie Menghini says

      June 03, 2019 at 10:27 pm

      5 stars
      I love the clean simplicity of this salad! It will be perfect with our grilled chicken this weekend!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        June 04, 2019 at 9:29 am

        It is amazing how delicious it is for such simple ingredients! Nice and light and perfect for summer!

        Reply
    8. Angela says

      June 03, 2019 at 8:12 am

      5 stars
      Fun!! Why have I never thought to use spaghetti in a pasta salad. Great simple recipe ... my kind of summer cooking!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        June 04, 2019 at 9:30 am

        I know we leave that noodle out of the pasta mix too often. It's perfect for the summer heat too!

        Reply
    9. debi at Life Currents says

      June 01, 2019 at 1:37 pm

      5 stars
      This was so easy to make and a total hit at the family picnic. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Nikki - Soulfully Made says

        June 04, 2019 at 9:31 am

        It is so simple and delish! Great make ahead dish for a picnic!

        Reply
    10. Amy Greene says

      August 31, 2017 at 2:45 pm

      4 stars
      I love pasta salad - of course, I may be the only one in my house - but if I find a pasta salad at a potluck, it is on my plate. This one looks delicious. And the idea of using spaghetti noodles is great. If you have leftover noodles from Friday night spaghetti, then you have pasta salad for Sunday. Great use of leftovers! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    11. Christie says

      August 30, 2017 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      I have never used spaghetti for a pasta salad! I love this idea. How fun and flavorful!

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        August 31, 2017 at 9:25 am

        This was the first time I used it as well! Shelly created a Pasta Salad my family is in love with too!

        Reply
    12. Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says

      August 29, 2017 at 9:29 am

      I make a very similar spaghetti pasta salad - but the dressing is completly different! Love the addition of Lawry's! Yum!

      Reply
    13. Cindy @CindysRecipesAndWritings says

      August 28, 2017 at 5:59 am

      I love the dressing. So easy!

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        August 28, 2017 at 2:37 pm

        Thank you Cindy! It's very simple and so yummy!

        Reply
    14. Anne says

      August 27, 2017 at 9:29 pm

      This looks like a tasty pasta salad!

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        August 28, 2017 at 2:37 pm

        Thank you Anne! We love Shelly's recipe!

        Reply
    15. Wendy Klik says

      August 27, 2017 at 10:49 am

      This is perfect for a labor day gathering. I love dishes you can make ahead of time so you don't have to mess with them when you have guests.

      Reply
    16. Christine @ myblissfulmess says

      August 27, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Wow Nikki, that really does look bright and fresh. Very pretty salad. That's what I love about most salads. They are naturally just so appealing to the eye, and look so fresh and inviting. Yum!

      Reply
    17. Liz says

      August 27, 2017 at 9:57 am

      I can see why everyone loves this salad! I know I will, too!!!

      Reply

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