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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Bright and Flavorful Pasta Recipes to Enjoy This Summer

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 9, 2025, updated May 7, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh and vibrant pasta dishes that celebrate the season's bounty. With colorful vegetables, bright herbs, and light sauces, these 20 pasta recipes are sure to bring a burst of flavor to your table. Whether you're hosting a gathering or just looking for a quick weeknight meal, these dishes are easy to prepare and full of summer goodness.

    One-Pot Cherry Tomato & Basil Pasta

    One-Pot Cherry Tomato & Basil Pasta
    Photo Credit: Chef Ani.

    This dish is quick to prepare, taking just 15-20 minutes. Pair it with a green salad and some fresh bread for a complete meal.

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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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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    20 Minute Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This 20-minute marry me chicken pasta is a simple and satisfying meal. With rotisserie chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, it delivers great flavor in no time.

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    Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

    Chicken broccoli alfredo with wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

    This one-pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is simple to prepare and great for family dinners. With chicken and broccoli, this pasta dish is a complete meal.

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    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: FoodnService.

    This pasta dish is simple and comforting, taking just 10 minutes to prepare while the slow cooker handles the rest. With its rich flavors and tender penne pasta, it's a great choice for a filling family dinner during the summer.

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    Halloumi Carbonara

    A bowl of halloumi carbonara.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This vegetarian carbonara swaps out bacon for halloumi, creating a delicious twist on the classic dish. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying meal during the summer.

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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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    Penne Pomodoro

    Penne Pomodoro.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    Penne Pomodoro is a classic Italian dish that combines simple ingredients for a delicious meal. It's quick to prepare and can be on the table in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

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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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    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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    Spinach and Tomato Pasta

    Spinach and Tomato Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Candid Cooks.

    Light and healthy pasta dinners can be quick and easy. In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy a fresh and tasty pasta dish for a simple weeknight meal.

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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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    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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    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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    Orrechiette Pasta Salad

    Orecchiette Pasta Salad Recipe.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    Orecchiette Pasta Salad is a vibrant mix of vegetables and herbs that’s perfect for summer. It’s a great addition to any barbecue or potluck.

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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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    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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    Pesto Tortellini with Asparagus and Peas

    Pesto Tortellini with Asparagus and Peas
    Photo Credit: Mandi of the Mountains.

    This simple pasta dish is a quick and tasty option for dinner. Packed with fresh spring vegetables and mixed with a creamy pesto sauce, it can be made in just one pot.

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    Lemon Basil Chicken Linguine

    30-Minute Lemon Basil Chicken Linguine on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This pasta dinner is quick, easy, and tasty. The bright flavors of lemon and basil come together nicely in this weeknight meal that everyone will love.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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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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