California Spaghetti Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until it's al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinaigrette dressing, olive oil, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using).
3. Add the cooked spaghetti to the bowl and toss it with the dressing, ensuring that the pasta is well coated.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and Kalamata olives.
5. Add the tomato mixture to the bowl with the spaghetti and toss gently to combine.
6. Stir in the chopped fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. If the salad seems dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.