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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Summer Pasta Recipes That Are Bursting with Flavor

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 17, 2025, updated May 7, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, vibrant pasta dishes that highlight the season's best ingredients. From light and zesty sauces to colorful vegetables, these 21 recipes are packed with flavor and are sure to brighten up your meals. Whether you're hosting a gathering or just looking for a quick weeknight dinner, these pasta ideas will bring a burst of summer to your table.

    Greek Pasta

    15 Minute Greek Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Greek Pasta combines perfectly cooked noodles with fresh Mediterranean vegetables, all mixed together in a creamy feta and herb sauce. It's a refreshing dish that's great for summer meals.

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    Creamy Pasta with Prosciutto and Peas

    Creamy Pasta with Prosciutto and Peas.
    Photo Credit: Casual Foodist.

    Creamy Pasta with Prosciutto and Peas is a tasty one-pot meal that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. Packed with classic Italian flavors, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that your family will enjoy.

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    Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo

    A bowl of fettuccini alfredo.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This pasta dish is creamy and full of flavor. It's a simple one-pot meal that practically cooks on its own.

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    Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

    Creamy Pesto Gnocchi.
    Photo Credit: Through the Fibro Fog.

    Creamy pesto gnocchi features a rich and smooth sauce that's packed with flavor. It's a quick and simple dinner option that you can whip up in just 20 minutes.

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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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    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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    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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    Penne Napoli

    Penne Napoli.
    Photo Credit: Delicious by Design.

    Penne Napoli is a tasty dish that highlights the goodness of fresh, simple ingredients. With garlic, onions, and basil mixed into a rich tomato sauce, this pasta is a comforting meal that you can whip up in no time, making it great for busy weeknights.

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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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    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a delicious dish that's sure to please. With smoked sausage, cajun spices, and a rich cheesy sauce, this is a great meal for any occasion.

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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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    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 Lemon Orzo

    Spinach Lemon Orzo.
    Photo credit: Barley and Sage.

    This creamy spinach lemon orzo is quick to prepare and ready in just 20 minutes. Packed with fresh spinach, lemon zest, and basil in a rich sauce, it’s perfect as a light dinner or a simple side.

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    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This easy tahini pasta is a quick dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. With its creamy and nutty tahini sauce, this pasta is a delicious option for a summer meal.

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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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    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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    Creamy Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

    Creamy Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This sun-dried tomato pasta is quick to prepare and full of vibrant flavors. It's a great option for a laid-back dinner or a fast weeknight meal.

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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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    Boursin Cheese Pasta

    Boursin Cheese Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    Boursin Cheese Pasta is a simple and tasty dish that mixes creamy, herby cheese with roasted tomatoes and pasta. It's a lovely meal that's quick to prepare for weeknight dinners!

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    Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo

    5-Ingredient Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Girl Gone Gourmet.

    This sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce is quick and easy to prepare and pairs perfectly with pasta. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      21 Easy Freezer Casseroles That Will Save You Time on Busy Nights
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      21 Dump-And-Go Ground Beef Dinners That Save You Time
    • A bowl of loaded baked potato soup topped with cheese.
      17 Easy Slow Cooker Family Meals to Try
    • Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
      Set It and Forget It: 21 Easy Dinners That Cook Themselves

    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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