Let’s be real. Sometimes, “routine” and “summer” don’t exactly go hand-in-hand. For me, at least, I can spend one day tackling an entire to-do list and the next doing pretty much nothing—meaning dinner on day two is not at the top of my priority list. One of my favorite ways to enjoy a carefree day is with summer pasta recipes that satisfy every warm-weather craving. These picks are such an easy solution for lunch or dinner at home or on the go. Plus, everyone in your family is sure to love them. It’d be hard not to.
Pasta is a year-round staple in my kitchen. While I’ve never said no to a cheesy lasagna in the summer months, I tend to opt for summer pasta recipes with bright and light flavors, like citrus and olive oil. Pair with a protein to create a more filling bowl, or simply enjoy it as a complement to your entree. Whichever you choose, you’ll never say no to these summer pasta recipes.
In my moments of relaxation this summer, I’ve realized that with the passage of time (which seems to keep getting faster—it can’t just be me), when we’re not attuned to the things that make us happy, they start to pass us by. Which is definitely not the mantra of the summer. Instead, it’s much more enjoyable when we can recognize the things that make us tick and find ways to make them more present in our lives.
When we’re not attuned to the things that make us happy, they start to pass us by.
But what does this have to do with pasta, you might ask? I love cooking simple foods, celebrating the flavors of the season, and savoring moments of relaxation—all of which are best served alongside a delicious, lingering meal. These summer pasta recipes are perfect for enjoying the season’s sweet spontaneity and elevating the everyday. It’s time to let loose and enjoy. After all, that’s what summer is really about.
Why We Love It: Lemon is the unsung flavor of the summer, and when I want to incorporate its zesty tang into a meal, this is the dish I turn to. There is so much to love about the crunchy arugula and bacon combo, which highlights the lemon’s sweet citrus flavor.
Hero Ingredient: Artichoke is a highly underrated and versatile ingredient.
Why We Love It: Tomato Girl Summer may be distinctly 2023-coded, but this recipe is forever. With only five ingredients, it’s beautiful in its elegant simplicity. This is always the dish I turn to when I have no idea what to make for a dinner party (and my guests are only minutes away). It’s truly a lifesaver and a pasta dish I’ll have on repeat throughout the summer and beyond.
Hero Ingredient: Sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, tomato paste… tomatoes, duh.
Why We Love It: All the veggies your daily, nutritional needs ask for in one delicious dish? Sign me up. While I love a good salad, I’m also here for anything that masks spinach’s oftentimes bitter flavor with parmesan, olive oil, lemon, and butter. Once your kids get past the fact that this dish is a vibrant, verdant green, they’ll be obsessed with each silky, noodle-y bite.
Hero Ingredient: Keep piling on the grated parmesan, please.
Why We Love It: This pasta salad is vegan, full of veggies, and totally delicious. It’s the easiest way to get your daily dose of greens while enjoying a flavorful lunch or dinner that you’ll walk away from feeling refreshed. Sign me up.
Hero Ingredient: I’d be lying if I told you the green goddess dressing wasn’t the star of the show here, but I have to give props to the avocado. Creamy and undeniably swoon-worthy.
Why We Love It: Creamy may not be at the top of your summer food vocabulary, but this pasta defies the rules and brings a fresh approach to indulgence. Yes, butter and cream are the foundation of its sauce (that’s seriously good enough to drink), but the addition of lemon lightens things up and makes it suitable for summer.
Hero Ingredient: A heavy hand is key when it comes to herbs and red pepper flakes.
Why We Love It: This recipe continues to find its way into my rotation, and I’m amazed by its flavor every time I make it. The walnut sauce is to die for, the just-burst tomatoes are unparalleled, and the whole dish comes together in about 15 minutes. Too good to be true? Make it for yourself and find out.
Hero Ingredient: Again, pile on those garnishes. It’s the lemon zest, basil, and red chili flakes that help make this pasta shine.
Why We Love It: Packing in the greens, this kale pesto, Brussels sprouts-studded pasta is loaded with flavor and good-for-you ingredients. Think walnuts, olives, and lots of veggies. All coming together to deliver one heavenly-tasting pasta.
Hero Ingredient: Warning: You’ll want to drizzle that silky kale pesto over everything.
Why We Love It: Thinly sliced, golden brown zucchini is the feature element in this dish that’s inspired by traditional Spaghetti alla Nerano. You’d never know that it only takes 15 minutes to throw together, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or impromptu gathering. And, with the abundance of zucchini this time of year, there’s no time like the present to whip up this simple but impressive dish.
Hero Ingredient: Basil, basil, and more basil.
Why We Love It: For a more substantial, protein-oriented pasta, look no further than this garlic shrimp spaghetti. It’s inspired by the Mediterranean diet and introduces several healthy veggies into the mix. Perfect for a satisfying summer lunch or dinner that will fill you up without weighing you down.
Hero Ingredient: Those tomatoes cook down beautifully and adopt an almost jammy consistency. Yum.
Why We Love It: More veggies! Seriously, I can’t get enough of these summer pasta recipes that celebrate the season’s produce. In this case, it’s all about asparagus, broccolini (a personal favorite), peas, and cherry tomatoes. They all come together to produce a positively palatable pasta primavera.
Hero Ingredient: Ricotta brings all kinds of creaminess to the table. (Or the noodle, rather.) It’s like a cheesy blanket that’s light enough to constitute a stunner of a summer pasta recipe.
Why We Love It: This carbonara is a little lighter than your traditional pancetta-laden dish, which we’re all about this time of year. Replacing salty meats with peas and zucchini, this creamy vegetarian version is best enjoyed al fresco.
Hero Ingredient: Peas, of course. It’s time these small-but-mighty superstars get the recognition they deserve.
Why We Love It: Caramelized grilled veggies meet swirly pasta. This is the type of pasta salad you’ll want to have on hand all summer, and it’s a universal crowd-pleaser at barbecues. It’s also packed with protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats. A win on all fronts.
Hero Ingredient: Kalamata olives bring a briny, salty flavor that makes everything else pop.
Why We Love It: Mega-creamy burrata lovingly coats each noodle to polish off a dish you’ll want for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Seriously. And if you think it sounds a little heavy for a summer evening, think again! The “sauce” is built from burst tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic. The largest bowl you have, please.
Hero Ingredient: With pasta as simple as this, make sure you’re using fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and good-quality olive oil. The proof is in the pudding—er, pasta.
Why We Love It: I know what you’re thinking. Sausage doesn’t exactly scream “light” summer pasta. But I beg to differ—here’s why. This recipe only uses a small amount of Italian sausage to basically mimic a sausage and mushroom pizza (yum), and the sauce is only lemon zest and juice, arugula, parmesan, and a little butter. I’m declaring it “light” because you can eat it for lunch without dragging through the rest of your day or enjoy it at dinner without feeling overly full. No further questions, please.
Hero Ingredient: I’m always pro-mushroom. They’re so nutritious and endlessly delicious.
Why We Love It: Too hot to properly enjoy a warm bowl of noodles? Not a problem. This summery pasta salad is laced with all kinds of veggies and herbs that are made even better by the miso tahini dressing that tops them. It’s healthy, balanced, and so easy to savor on even the hottest of summer days.
Hero Ingredient: A dose of salty feta in each bite really seals the deal. Feel free to pick out some cubes with your fingers. I know I will.
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