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This vintage Spaghetti Salad with Cucumbers and Tomatoes is one of those dishes that feels like it’s always been around. Growing up in Southern California, summer weekends meant backyard potluck parties, and the dish that always stole the show was this timeless salad. Tender strands of pasta tossed with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, a splash of Italian dressing, and the one ingredient that made it unforgettable: McCormick® Salad Supreme®.

It was simple, it was bold, and it never lasted long. In fact, whenever I’ve brought it to a gathering, I’ve never managed to take any home—it disappears that quickly. And while it will forever remind me of those carefree summer days, its fresh, bright flavors make it a dish I return to again and again. Perfect for quick lunches, make-ahead meal prep, casual potlucks, or even special occasions—like when my wife and I served it at our wedding reception in my parents’ backyard.

This recipe has been part of our story for decades, and now I’m delighted to share it with you—so it can become part of yours, too.

A Little History of Salad Supreme

Salad Supreme® has been around much longer than most people realize. The seasoning was first created by the Schilling company, a San Francisco spice brand founded in the late 1800s. When McCormick purchased Schilling in 1947, they carried the blend forward under their brand. From there, Salad Supreme found its way into kitchens and potlucks across America, giving simple dishes like spaghetti salad a bold and unforgettable twist.

Why You’ll Love This Spaghetti Salad

A true classic – Beloved at potlucks and backyard gatherings for generations.
Bright and refreshing – Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and Italian dressing keep every bite light yet flavorful.
The secret seasoning – McCormick® Salad Supreme® gives it the unforgettable flavor that makes it extraordinary.
Crowd-pleasing – It disappears fast at every party, so don’t expect leftovers.
Endlessly versatile – Keep it simple as a side dish, or dress it up into a hearty main. I’ve added everything from pepperoni and salami to provolone cubes, artichoke hearts, and pepperoncini—turning it into something close to an antipasto salad. With just a few swaps, it can be as humble or as elevated as you want it to be.

Plate of spaghetti salad with cucumbers and Roma tomatoes, seasoned with Italian dressing and Salad Supreme, with a fork and spoon beside it. — A white plate of spaghetti salad topped with diced cucumbers and Roma tomatoes, coated in Italian dressing and flecks of Salad Supreme seasoning, with a fork and spoon resting on the plate. A serving bowl of salad is visible in the background.

First-Things-First: Mise en Place

Before you start with the recipe, let me share some kitchen wisdom that’s made cooking much easier over the years. It’s called Mise en Place—a French phrase that means “everything in its place.” It might sound fancy, but it’s just about setting yourself up for success: read the recipe all the way through, gather your tools, then prep and measure everything before the heat goes on.

This simple habit takes the guesswork out of cooking and keeps surprises to a minimum. Whether you’re new to the kitchen or have been cooking for decades, Mise en Place is a process that makes a big difference.

Curious to learn more? I recommend Everything in Its Place: The Power of Mise-En-Place to Organize Your Life, Work, and Mind—it’s a great read that goes way beyond the kitchen.

Ingredients for Spaghetti Salad with Cucumbers and Tomatoes

This salad keeps things simple, but every ingredient plays an important role in the flavor.

Spaghetti – Sixteen ounces of spaghetti, broken in half before cooking so it’s easier to mix and eat.
Cucumbers – I like to use a large garden cucumber for a fresh, crisp bite, but an English cucumber works just as well.
Roma Tomatoes – Firm, meaty, and less watery than other varieties, Roma tomatoes hold up well in this salad.
Italian Dressing – I use Wishbone, but any good bottled Italian dressing works. Start with a little over half of the 24-ounce bottle—the pasta will soak it up as it rests.
Salad Supreme® Seasoning – The star of the show! I use about 1 ½ of the smaller (4.34-ounce) bottles, or just over half of the 8.25-ounce size. The larger bottle is more economical if you can find it, though it’s sometimes harder to track down.

How To Make Spaghetti Salad with Cucumbers and Tomatoes

Cook the pasta – Break the spaghetti in half before cooking. It makes it easier to mix later and less messy to eat. Once it’s al dente, drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Prep the veggies – Quarter the cucumber lengthwise, then slice into ½-inch pieces. Do the same with the Roma tomatoes, so everything is a uniform bite size.

Add the seasoning – Toss the pasta and veggies with Salad Supreme®. I start with about 1 ½ small bottles (or just over half the large one). The seasoning is what makes this salad extraordinary.

McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning being added to a bowl of spaghetti salad with cucumbers and tomatoes. — Add just over half of the large 8.25-ounce bottle (or about 1 ½ of the smaller 4.34-ounce bottles) of Salad Supreme seasoning.

Dress the salad – Pour in a little more than half the bottle of Italian dressing. At first, the salad will look “wet,” but the pasta soaks it up as it rests. That’s why you’ll want the larger 24-ounce bottle—it gives you extra for later.

Wishbone Italian dressing being poured into a bowl of spaghetti salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and seasoning. — Start with about half of the 24-ounce bottle. The pasta will soak up a lot of the dressing as it rests, so keep the bottle handy and add more before serving.

Adjust to taste – Before chilling, taste and add a bit more Salad Supreme® if you like.
Chill and serve – Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. Just before serving, stir it and add more dressing if it’s looking dry.

Serving Suggestions

This spaghetti salad is the ultimate potluck side—it pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, burgers, steaks, or barbecue. It also makes a refreshing lunch on its own, and with a few add-ins, it can easily turn into a complete meal.

Variations

One of the things that makes this spaghetti salad so special is how easily it adapts. At its core, it’s a simple mix of pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, and Italian dressing—but with a few swaps or additions, it can completely change its character:

Keep it light – Stick with the base recipe for a fresh, crisp side dish that pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, burgers, or barbecue.
Make it a meal – Bulk it up with proteins like sliced pepperoni, salami, grilled chicken, or even shrimp.
Go antipasto – Add provolone cubes, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, roasted red peppers, or black olives for a bold Italian twist.
Change the dressing – While classic Italian is traditional, try a zesty vinaigrette, creamy Caesar, or even Greek dressing for a new flavor profile.
Play with veggies – Toss in bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, or anything fresh from the garden to keep it colorful and seasonal.

From simple and refreshing to hearty and indulgent, this salad can be exactly what you need—a side dish, main course, or something in between.

Storage

Refrigerator – Store leftover spaghetti salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta will continue to absorb dressing as it sits, so give it a stir and add a splash of extra dressing before serving.

Do not freeze – Freezing is not recommended, as the cucumbers and tomatoes will lose their texture and turn watery once thawed.

The Empty Plate

The surest sign of a good recipe? An empty plate. This spaghetti salad can quickly disappear, leaving nothing behind but a few streaks of Salad Supreme–tinged dressing.

An empty white plate with streaks of Italian dressing and Salad Supreme seasoning, and a single strand of spaghetti left behind. — Nothing left but the seasoned dressing and a lone strand of spaghetti.

Disclaimer: Salad Supreme® is a registered trademark of McCormick & Company. This recipe is not sponsored, endorsed, or affiliated with McCormick. Any references to Salad Supreme® are for descriptive purposes only.