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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Family Friendly Pasta Recipes We’re Making All Summer Long

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 4, 2025, updated May 7, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy light and fresh meals, and pasta is a great choice for family dinners. With so many options, you can easily whip up delicious dishes that everyone will love. From classic favorites to new twists, these 19 family-friendly pasta recipes are sure to bring smiles to the table all season long.

    Red Pesto Pasta with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes with only 15 minutes of hands-on time. It's loaded with veggies and flavor, and you can enjoy it hot or cold, whether you use homemade or store-bought pesto.

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    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad

    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    This smoked Italian pasta salad combines all the best elements of pasta salad with a delicious smoky twist. It's perfect for summer gatherings and adds a unique flavor to your meal.

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    One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta

    One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
    Photo Credit: Vegan Huggs.

    This creamy tomato pasta is a quick and easy dinner that you can prepare in just 30 minutes using only one pot. Enjoy the rich flavors of tomatoes and cream in every bite, perfect for a busy evening.

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    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a quick and tasty take on the classic Italian pasta dish. With creamy goodness and perfectly cooked shrimp, this meal combines the best of seafood and pasta in a simple way.

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    Chicken Fajita Pasta

    Chicken Fajita Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Chicken Fajita Pasta combines juicy chicken with vibrant peppers and onions in a creamy pasta dish. It's a flavorful meal that hits the spot when you're in the mood for some Tex-Mex.

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    Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    Sundried tomato chicken sauce with penne pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Sun-dried tomato chicken pasta is a creamy and satisfying meal. It's easy to prepare and packed with flavor, ready in just 30 minutes.

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    Chopped Italian Pasta Salad

    Chopped Italian Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This pasta salad is great for summer gatherings, picnics, and barbecues. It's packed with fresh vegetables and beans, making it a colorful and satisfying dish.

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    Creamy Spinach Pasta

    Creamy Spinach Pasta.
    Photo credit: Six Hungry Feet.

    This creamy spinach pasta sauce is easy to whip up with just six simple ingredients. It's vegan, raw, and perfect for a quick meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Dinner can be simple with just 12 minutes, 5 ingredients, and one pot. This is an easy meal perfect for summer nights.

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    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that combines juicy shrimp with perfectly cooked pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce. This is a great meal for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.

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    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of carbonara is simple to prepare and uses everyday ingredients you can easily find at the store. It's a great option for a quick meal during the summer.

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    Pistachio Pesto Pasta

    A plate of pistachio pesto pasta.
    Photo Credit: Naturallie Plant Based.

    This dish features soft pasta tossed with a flavorful homemade pistachio pesto, sweet tomatoes, tender artichoke hearts, and fresh greens. It's a great option for summer meals when you want something light and refreshing.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy pesto pasta is quick to make with just three ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to prepare. The bright pesto sauce combined with Greek yogurt creates a simple and satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup

    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    This colorful alphabet soup packed with veggies is a tasty and healthy meal. Everyone will love digging into this fun vegetarian dish!

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    Garlic Butter Pasta

    Garlic butter pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to prepare and uses ingredients you likely have on hand. It's perfect for a simple summer meal.

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is incredibly easy to prepare. It's perfect for summer meals when you want something light and refreshing.

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    Pepperoni Pasta Salad

    Pepperoni Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: A Table Full of Joy.

    This pepperoni pasta salad is simple to make and really tasty. It's a perfect side dish for family dinners or gatherings.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a quick and easy dish that packs a lot of flavor. It's great on its own, but adding some mozzarella or burrata cheese takes it to the next level.

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    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This recipe gives a zesty spin to the traditional Alfredo sauce. With just some common spices you likely have in your pantry, it’s an affordable choice for summer meals.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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