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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Easy Pasta Recipes That Will Brighten Your Late Summer Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 25, 2025, updated August 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    As summer winds down, there's nothing quite like a simple pasta dish to brighten your evenings. These 20 easy recipes are perfect for using up fresh summer produce and can be whipped up in no time. Whether you're in the mood for something light and refreshing or a bit more comforting, there's a pasta dish here for everyone.

    Pasta Fresca

    Pasta Fresca.
    Photo credit: Profusion Curry.

    Enjoy the fresh tastes of summer with this pasta dish that combines tender pasta with juicy tomatoes, vibrant spinach, earthy mushrooms, and a tangy balsamic vinegar and garlic sauce. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that captures the essence of the season. Perfect for warm evenings, this dish is both light and filling, making it a great choice for dinner.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta

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

    Creamy pesto pasta is a simple and delicious dish that you'll enjoy. The bright green pesto sauce combined with Greek yogurt makes for a comforting meal that comes together in just 10 minutes. It's perfect for a quick dinner on a warm summer night.

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    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Get on my Plate.

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a great choice for a simple family dinner or a dish that everyone will enjoy at gatherings. It combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, cooked pasta, and fresh veggies all mixed together in a creamy ranch dressing. This salad is filling and perfect for warm summer nights.

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    Garlic Butter Pasta

    Garlic butter pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick pasta dish can be a great choice for a summer evening meal, especially when you can use ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. These recipes are easy to prepare and perfect for warm nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time cooking. Enjoy a delicious and refreshing meal that captures the essence of summer.

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    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta is quick and easy to prepare in just 20 minutes. It's filled with fresh vegetables, making it a light and flavorful option for summer dinners. The dish showcases the veggies beautifully, without relying on heavy cream.

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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

    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a great choice when you want a quick and tasty meal. It's easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Topping it with mozzarella or burrata cheese adds a nice creamy finish that makes it even better.

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    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    This dish combines juicy shrimp with perfectly cooked pasta and a rich garlic butter sauce. It's quick and easy to prepare, making it a great option for dinner. Everyone at the table will enjoy this flavorful meal.

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    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    This pasta dish features mushrooms and charred corn, all tossed in a light cream sauce. It's a satisfying meatless option that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick summer dinner.

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    Tuscan Pasta Salad

    Tuscan Pasta Salad Recipe
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    Tuscan Pasta Salad is a light and refreshing dish that shines on warm summer nights. It's filled with fresh veggies, beans, and cheese, making it a tasty choice for a quick meal or a side. This salad is easy to prepare and brings a burst of flavor to your table.

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    Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

    Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Naturallie Plant Based.

    This Strawberry Balsamic Vegan Tofu Pasta Salad is a delightful mix of juicy strawberries, marinated balsamic tofu, fresh spinach, and basil, topped with creamy feta cheese. It's a great choice for picnics, BBQs, or a simple weeknight dinner. The combination of flavors makes it refreshing and satisfying, perfect for enjoying on warm summer nights.

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    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This simple pasta dish combines smoked salmon with a bright lemon flavor, perfect for warm summer nights. It's light and refreshing, making it a great choice for a quick meal when the weather is nice. Enjoy this easy recipe that brings a taste of summer to your dinner table.

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    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is loaded with fresh vegetables, making it a healthy meal option. It's ideal for warm summer nights when you want something light and satisfying.

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    Caprese Mac and Cheese

    Caprese Mac and Cheese
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegetarian mac and cheese is a quick and tasty dish that you can prepare in just 25 minutes with only 10 easy ingredients. It puts a fun spin on the classic comfort food by using sharp white cheddar, Parmesan, and mozzarella, along with fresh grape tomatoes and basil. A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a nice touch, making this a great option for a cozy family meal.

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    Cherry Caprese Pasta Salad

    Cherry Caprese Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This pasta salad combines sweet and savory flavors, making it a great choice for summer dinners. It's vegetarian and can easily be adapted to be vegan, so it's versatile for different diets. Enjoy it as a refreshing side dish or as a satisfying main course.

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    Tuna Pasta Salad

    Tuna pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Homemade Interest.

    This tuna pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies and vibrant flavors. It's a light and tasty option that's great for summer evenings, and it skips the mayo for a healthier touch.

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    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is perfect for a quick and easy dinner, using only five ingredients and one pot. You can have it ready in under 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy summer nights. It's a straightforward meal that doesn't require much work, allowing you to enjoy your evening without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Antipasti Pasta Salad

    Antipasti Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: An Affair From the Heart.

    This pasta salad is perfect for summer gatherings. It's easy to whip up and packed with salami, pepperoni, grape tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. This dish is both tasty and filling, making it a great choice for warm evenings.

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    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare and packed with fresh vegetables and great flavor. You can use either homemade or store-bought pesto, making it a flexible option for any meal. It’s delicious served warm or cold, making it perfect for summer nights.

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    Grilled Veggie Pasta

    Grilled veggie pasta.
    Photo credit: Healing Tomato.

    This pasta dish features red lentil noodles paired with grilled vegetables, a vegan butter sauce, and fresh herbs. It's a simple and delicious option for a weeknight meal. Perfect for summer nights, this dish brings together vibrant flavors and satisfying textures.

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    Incredibly Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

    Incredibly Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
    Photo Credit: project meal plan.

    This pasta dish is ideal for summer evenings, featuring just six simple ingredients that come together for a light and refreshing meal. It's easy to prepare in advance, making it a great option when you want something quick and satisfying. Enjoy a taste of summer with this straightforward recipe.

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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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