Creepy Crawly Pasta Salad (Printable Version)
Whimsical salad of black pasta, olives, and colorful vegetables. Fun, spooky side dish for festive gatherings.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz black squid ink pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/2 cup black olives, whole and pitted
06 - 1/2 cup green olives, whole and pitted
07 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
08 - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
→ Dressing
09 - 4 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Veggie Spider Decoration
14 - 12 large black olives
15 - 24 small black olives
16 - 12 small mozzarella balls (optional)
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives (optional)
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Boil the black squid ink pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced red and yellow bell peppers, chopped cucumber, and finely chopped red onion.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey if using. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Add the cooled pasta to the bowl of vegetables. Pour over the prepared dressing and toss gently until evenly coated.
05 - Cut the small black olives lengthwise into thin strips to form spider legs. Attach 6-8 legs to each large black olive by pressing into the pasta or securing with toothpicks. Add mozzarella balls and fresh chives for eyes as desired.
06 - Arrange the veggie spiders atop the pasta salad. Place additional mozzarella balls or olives for a spooky garnish.
07 - Refrigerate the assembled salad for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Easy to prepare and assemble for busy families
- Uses pantry-friendly and widely available veggies for low fuss
- Customizable for allergy or dietary needs like gluten free or vegan
- Kid approved and highly interactive to make together
02 -
- Vegetarian friendly and easy to convert for vegan or gluten free
- Stays fresh for hours making it a great party make ahead
- Olives and peppers add vitamin C and crowd pleasing flavor
03 -
- Chill the pasta well before tossing for best texture and color
- Slice olive legs evenly so spiders look realistic and sturdy
- Whisk the dressing until fully emulsified or it will separate on your pasta
- Keep extra mozzarella balls on the side for surprise moments
- If making with kids use blunt picks for safety and let each person decorate their own spider