🍝🥒 Zesty Spaghetti Pasta Salad with Ham & Veggies 🧅🫑
Light, fresh, and full of flavor — this chilled pasta salad is loaded with diced ham, crunchy cucumbers, bell peppers, and tossed in a tangy Italian-style dressing. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week! 💯
📌 Ingredients
1 lb spaghetti noodles
1½ cups cooked ham, diced
1 cucumber, diced
½ red bell pepper, diced
½ yellow bell pepper, diced
½ green bell pepper, diced
½ red onion, finely diced
1 cup bottled Italian dressing (or homemade)
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper (plus more to taste)
Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes, shredded Parmesan, or olives
🔥 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta:
Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Let it drain fully — nobody wants watery pasta salad 😅
2. Chop All the Good Stuff:
Dice up your ham, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onion. Try to keep the pieces small so you get a little bit of everything in every bite 🔪
3. Toss It All Together:
In a large bowl or pan (like a foil tray for a party 👀), combine the spaghetti, veggies, and ham. Pour in the Italian dressing, garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Chill & Serve:
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours so all those flavors can marinate. Before serving, give it another good toss and adjust seasoning if needed.
😍 Pro Tip:
Want it extra tangy? Add a splash of red wine vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice 🍋
Want more flavor? Sprinkle in some Italian seasoning or a handful of shredded cheese 🧀
It holds up super well in the fridge — leftovers be hittin' even harder the next day 🔥