Think Beyond Pasta Salad with These Summer Pasta Recipes
If the words "pasta for dinner" has you thinking only of boring red-sauce meals or super heavy winter dishes like bolognese, then it's time to think again!
Summer may be our favorite season for pasta. Because it cooks quickly and is adaptable to such a wide array of flavors, these summer pasta recipes make it easy to get a filling dinner on the table quickly, without overheating the kitchen. With light, bright flavors like lemon, fresh tomato, asparagus, roasted veggies, olives, and more, you could make a different pasta every night of the month and never be bored!
Here, find more than three dozen of our favorite summer pasta recipes—there's sure to be something your family will love!
White Wine-Garlic Pasta with Scallops
This 15-minute meal has it all: a bright, lemony flavor, yummy pan-seared scallops, and perfectly-cooked linguine. It's everything you want in a summer meal.
Get the recipe for White Wine-Garlic Pasta with Scallops.
Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta
This light, bright, easy and delicious fettuccine dish cooks in just 25 minutes, won't weigh you down, and is perfect for warm-weather eating. Serve it al fresco with a glass of white wine for an elegant dinner treat!
Get the recipe for Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta.
Brown Butter Tortellini with Toasted Garlic and Asparagus
When fresh asparagus is available, we just can't get enough of it! Cheese tortellini, some butter, and a few herbs are all you need to round out this summery dish.
Get the recipe for Brown Butter Tortellini with Toasted Garlic and Asparagus.
Caprese Pasta Salad
This classic combo turns into the perfect pasta salad for summer picnics! Add chicken for extra protein or keep it vegetarian.
Get the recipe for Caprese Pasta Salad.
Classic Tuna Macaroni Salad
Not only is this recipe super quick and easy to whip up, it's great for everything from weeknight dinners to cookout sides. You'll have an empty bowl at the end either way!
Get the recipe for Classic Tuna Macaroni Salad.
The Best 30-Minute Beef Stroganoff
Add this speedy version of classic Beef Stroganoff to your summer dinner rotation. You can have it on the table in just 30 minutes!
Get the recipe for The Best 30-Minute Beef Stroganoff.
Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac 'n Cheesy
This super-smart stovetop mac is as fast as the boxed stuff, and tastier! It cooks quickly so you won't have to handle the heat for too long!
Get the recipe for Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac 'n Cheesy.
Easy Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Looking for a fast, light summer dinner? You can make this classic Italian pasta in less time than it takes delivery to arrive.
Get the recipe for Easy Shrimp Scampi Pasta.
The Take-to-Every-BBQ Pasta Salad
A solid, no-nonsense bowl of pasta salad at a cookout is like the bass riff in a great Country song: It may not get all the attention, but everyone would notice if it was missing. This Italian summer pasta is the one you want.
Get the recipe for Basic Pasta Salad.
Grilled Ratatouille Pasta Salad
This cold summer pasta salad is packed with fresh grilled veggies, making it a delicious and healthy option for meatless Mondays.
Get the recipe for Grilled Ratatouille Pasta Salad.
Easiest-Ever Chicken Alfredo
Switch up pasta night with this super-easy homemade sauce.
Get the recipe for Easiest-Ever Chicken Alfredo.
Pan-Seared Gnocchi with Parmesan-Roasted Summer Squash and Herbs
Instead of boiling gnocchi like pasta, a quick turn in a hot skillet gives them a slight char and a delightful crunchy-chewy texture.
Get the recipe for Pan-Seared Gnocchi.
Orzo Pasta Salad
This perfectly packable pasta salad is ideal for picnics.
Get the recipe for Orzo Pasta Salad.
Easy, Peasy Fettuccini Alfredo
This light summer vegetarian dinner is fast and satisfying.
Get the recipe for Easy, Peasy Fettuccini Alfredo.
Spring Pasta with Salmon, Peas, and Dill
The snappy English peas and lightly roasted salmon add quite a lot to this simple, hearty dish, but it's the fresh dill that really ties the whole thing together.
Get the recipe for Spring Pasta with Salmon, Peas, and Dill.
Broccolini Pasta Salad
Smoked almonds and plenty of veggies give this traditional pasta salad a little extra crunch.
Get the recipe for Broccolini Pasta Salad.
Deviled Eggs Pasta Salad
For those who love deviled eggs, love pasta salad, and don't like to decide, we present this: The best of both combined into one.
Get the recipe for Deviled Eggs Pasta Salad.
Ritzy Ranch Mac ’n’ Cheese
Mac and cheese is practically a must-have side at summer barbecues. These super simple pantry upgrades will have folks begging for the recipe.
Get the recipe for Ritzy Ranch Mac ’n’ Cheese.
Pea-and-Mint Stuffed Shells
This springy dish is like a cousin to mac and cheese. It uses enormous shells to hold oodles of fresh ricotta blended with mozzarella and Romano. And there are generous helpings of peas and fresh mint to boot.
Get the recipe for Pea-and-Mint Stuffed Shells.
Pearl Couscous with Leeks and Peas
Believe it or not couscous is a pasta — though you typically steam it instead of boiling. Here, fresh leeks and radishes give this dish a bevy of flavor. It's good as a side or a main, and tasty hot or cold.
Get the recipe for Pearl Couscous with Leeks and Peas.
Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese
The cauliflower gives this dish an even richer, cheesier taste.
Get the recipe for Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese.
Fava-Bean Pasta Salad with Garlic-Scape Pesto
If you're growing garlic in your garden, this is one of the best ways to use up the scapes—the long, green, tendril-like stalks with mild garlic flavor that pop up in the spring. And if not, pick some up scapes at your local farmers' market.
Get the recipe for Fava-Bean Pasta Salad.
Potato Gnocchi with Pork Ragù
These handmade pillows of potato pasta are delicious year-round, but they really sing with handfuls of garden-fresh herbs.
Get the recipe for Potato Gnocchi with Pork Ragù.
Pasta with Sautéed Peppers, Zucchini, and Smoked Mozzarella
This colorful plate showcases a fresh vegetables of the season. Maybe the best part about this bright dish? It all comes together in just 30 minutes.
Get the recipe for Pasta with Sautéed Peppers, Zucchini, and Smoked Mozzarella.
Chicken and Arugula Cacio e Pepe
Baby arugula adds a slight bite to this summery cacio e pepe recipe. Don't forget to serve each plate with additional Parmesan—after all, you can never have too much cheese!
Get the recipe for Chicken and Arugula Cacio e Pepe.
Spinach Pesto with Pasta
On busy summer days when you haven't had a chance to think about dinner at all, this simple dish is a quick, delicious solution.
Get the recipe for Spinach Pesto with Pasta.
Ginger Garlic Chicken Ramen
Fresh snap peas, mushrooms, and a rich broth base keep this homemade ramen healthy and delicious.
Get the recipe for Ginger Garlic Chicken Ramen.
Queso Mac and Cheese
Tomatoes, slightly spicy green chiles, and crunchy corn chip pieces make this homemade mac pretty extraordinary.
Get the recipe for Queso Mac and Cheese.
Shrimp Linguine with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Spinach
Sweet sun-dried tomatoes are an underrated pantry ingredient. Here, they make an intensely tasty pesto sauce for this summery, shrimp-studded pasta.
Get the recipe for Shrimp Linguine.
Pasta with Chicken, Vegetables & Spinach Pesto
Besides boiling the pasta, no cooking is required for this fresh mixture of shredded chicken, grape tomatoes, red onion, and pasta with garlic and lemon zest.
Get the recipe for Pasta with Chicken, Vegetables & Spinach Pesto.
Orecchiette with Creamy Chipotle & Corn
The Southwestern flavors of this pasta coated in an adobo chipotle chile cream sauce perfectly pairs with the sweetness from fresh corn.
Get the recipe for Orecchiette with Creamy Chipotle & Corn.
Sicilian Pasta Salad
This recipe brings Sicily right to your kitchen - with only 6 ingredients!
Get the recipe for Sicilian Pasta Salad.
Summer Weeknight Burst Tomato Burrata Pasta
This is summer comfort food at its best! Grab your fresh tomatoes and whip this one up for dinner tonight.
Get the recipe for Summer Weeknight Burst Tomato Burrata Pasta at How Sweet Eats.
Creamy Herb Tuna Pasta Salad
It doesn't get more classic than a tuna pasta salad. This version gets a big flavor boost from fresh rosemary and parsley — and from a heap of garlic powder.
Get the recipe for Creamy Herb Tuna Pasta Salad at Beautiful Eats and Things.
Caprese Pasta
Customize this spin on a classic Caprese salad with a protein of your choice. However, the 15-minute dish (yes, really) is still super tasty as is.
Get the recipe for Caprese Pasta at Dinner at the Zoo.
Shrimp Scampi Pasta With Asparagus
This blogger notes her fuss-free pasta plate "is perfect for busy weeknights because it’s easy, takes less than 30 minutes, and tastes like fine dining." We're sold!
Get the recipe for Shrimp Scampi Pasta With Asparagus at Natasha's Kitchen.
Creamy Lemon Goat Cheese Pasta With Chickpeas and Asparagus
Weeknight dinners just got even better—and healthier—thanks to this one-pot meal. It's a great way to get the little ones not only eating, but actually enjoying their veggies too.
Get the recipe for Creamy Lemon Goat Cheese Pasta With Chickpeas and Asparagus at Recipe Runner.
Roasted Lemon Artichoke and Browned Butter Pasta
You don't need meat to make a dish hearty. This surprisingly simple summer pasta recipe features butter-roasted walnuts and fresh burrata that makes every bite absolutely decadent.
Get the recipe for Roasted Lemon Artichoke and Browned Butter Pasta at Half Baked Harvest.
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