Silly String Noodle Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

A refreshing pasta salad with crunchy bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, and a tangy lime dressing, served chilled for a fun, no-cook side dish. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup black beans
• 1/4 cup corn
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook 8 oz spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
2. Step 2: While pasta cools, dice 1/2 cup red bell pepper, 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, and 1/4 cup red onion into 1/4-inch pieces.
3. Step 3: Halve 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes and combine with 1/4 cup rinsed black beans and 1/4 cup corn in a large bowl.
4. Step 4: Add cooled spaghetti to the bowl with vegetables, then whisk together 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to make the dressing.
5. Step 5: Pour dressing over pasta salad and toss gently until evenly coated; fold in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
6. Step 6: Chill for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld, then serve cold.