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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Light and Zesty Pasta Recipes to Beat the Heat

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 13, 2025, updated May 7, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When the heat is on, a light and zesty pasta dish can be the perfect meal to keep things fresh and enjoyable. These 19 recipes are packed with vibrant flavors and simple ingredients, making them ideal for warm weather dining. From refreshing lemon and herb combinations to colorful veggie-packed options, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.

    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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    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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    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale

    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is hearty and satisfying, featuring Italian turkey sausage and fresh kale or baby spinach for a healthy touch. It's simple to prepare, whether you use the stovetop, an Instant Pot, or a slow cooker.

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    Creamy Curry Pasta

    Creamy Curry Pasta.
    Photo credit: Plantbased on a Budget.

    This creamy curry pasta is a quick and flavorful dish that you can whip up in just 35 minutes. It's filling and you can easily add your choice of protein and vegetables, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

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    Pasta e Piselli (Pasta with Peas)

    Pasta e Piselli (Pasta with Peas).
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    Pasta e Piselli is a simple Italian dish that mixes pasta with sweet peas. This quick recipe is a great comfort food option that you can whip up in just 15 minutes.

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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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    Pesto Cavatappi

    Pesto Cavatappi.
    Photo credit: The Belly Rules the Mind.

    Pesto Cavatappi is a delicious version of the popular dish from Noodles & Company. With fresh homemade basil pesto, this pasta is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table!

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    Anchovy Pasta with Capers

    Anchovy Pasta with Capers.
    Photo Credit: Posh Journal.

    This anchovy pasta with capers is easy to make and really tasty. It's a great option for a late-night meal or when you're trying to save some money.

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    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

    This recipe features a simple tahini sauce that highlights the rich flavor of tahini. It's easy to whip up with just a few basic ingredients.

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    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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    Lemon Broccoli Pasta

    Lemon Broccoli Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Occasionally Eggs.

    This broccoli pasta is a simple and quick one-pot meal that features a refreshing lemon sauce. The broccoli cooks right in the pasta water, making it an easy option for busy nights.

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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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    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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    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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    Tuna Pasta With Pesto

    Tuna Pasta With Pesto.
    Photo Credit; Maple + Mango.

    This tuna pasta with pesto is simple to make and really tasty. It's a great option for busy weeknights since it all comes together in just 20 minutes.

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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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    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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    Greek Pasta Salad

    Greek pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Home at Cedar Springs Farm.

    This Greek pasta salad is packed with fresh veggies and a tasty dressing that ties it all together. It's a light and refreshing dish that's great for summer meals.

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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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    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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