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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Light and Zesty Pasta Recipes Perfect for Hot Days

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 4, 2025, updated July 4, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When the weather heats up, a light and zesty pasta dish can be the perfect meal. These 22 recipes are refreshing and easy to make, featuring bright flavors and seasonal ingredients that keep things simple and satisfying. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a delightful dinner, these pasta ideas will help you enjoy the warm days ahead.

    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 full of flavor and has a wonderful aroma. It's a dish that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta is packed with fresh vegetables, making it a healthier option that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for warm summer days when you want something light and satisfying. With a variety of flavors and textures, this dish is sure to please anyone at the table.

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    Salmon Asparagus Pasta Salad

    SALMON ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This dish combines fresh asparagus, salmon, hard-boiled eggs, and pasta, all mixed together in a creamy lemon dill dressing. It's a simple and tasty option that’s perfect for warm weather. This is a great choice for spring and 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 when you want something light and refreshing. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a meal that feels satisfying without being heavy. Enjoy it on a warm evening or as a quick lunch.

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    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Dinner can be simple and quick with just a few ingredients and one pot. These light pasta dishes are perfect for summer, offering a refreshing twist to your meals. With minimal effort and time, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying dinner that won't weigh you down.

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    Pasta Fresca

    Pasta Fresca.
    Photo credit: Profusion Curry.

    Pasta Fresca is a quick meal that brings together classic Italian flavors in just 20 minutes. With perfectly cooked pasta, fresh tomatoes, tender baby spinach, and savory mushrooms, this dish is tossed in a rich sauce made with balsamic vinegar and garlic. A touch of heavy cream adds a creamy finish, making it a filling option for a weeknight dinner.

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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, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish, with only 15 minutes of actual cooking time. It's loaded with fresh vegetables and has a great flavor. You can use either homemade or store-bought pesto, and it tastes just as good served cold as it does hot.

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    Coconut Milk Pasta

    Coconut milk pasta in a skillet.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    Coconut milk transforms a basic tomato pasta sauce into something creamy and flavorful. This dish is a great alternative to heavy cream, offering a lighter option that still satisfies. It's easy to prepare and perfect for summer meals.

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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 easy dish that brings together juicy shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a satisfying meal that combines the flavors of seafood and pasta. It's a great option for a family dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to prepare and packed with the fresh flavors of smoked salmon and lemon. It's a light option that's perfect for warm summer days. You'll find yourself wanting to make it again and again.

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    Lemon Pepper Pasta

    Lemon Pepper Pasta.
    Photo credit: Pretty Delicious Life.

    Lemon Pepper Pasta with parmesan is a tasty dish that your family will love. With just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have, this is a quick and easy dinner option that still feels special. Top it off with some freshly grated parmesan cheese for an extra touch!

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    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

    A serving of Bruschetta Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: On My Kids' Plate.

    Bruschetta chicken pasta is a simple and quick dinner option that’s loaded with chicken, cherry tomatoes, and fresh ingredients. It’s versatile enough to be enjoyed hot or as a chilled pasta salad. This dish is perfect for summer meals when you want something light and flavorful.

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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 perfect example of how simple ingredients can create something special. It's quick to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for a light summer meal. Adding a nice piece of mozzarella or burrata on top takes it to the next level.

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    Tuscan Pasta Salad

    Tuscan Pasta Salad Recipe
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    Tuscan Pasta Salad is a simple and refreshing dish perfect for summer. Packed with fresh veggies, beans, and cheese, it serves well as a main course or a side. This salad is light yet satisfying, making it a great choice for warm days.

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    Grilled Veggie Pasta

    Grilled veggie pasta.
    Photo credit: Healing Tomato.

    This veggie pasta dish features red lentil noodles, which serve as a great foundation for a grilled vegetable dinner. Tossed with a light vegan butter sauce and fresh herbs, it’s an easy and enjoyable meal to whip up on a weeknight.

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    Ham Pasta

    Ham Pasta.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Ham Pasta is an easy and tasty dish that brings a bit of comfort to your table. It's perfect for using up leftover ham, and since it all cooks in one pan, cleanup is a breeze. This meal not only satisfies but also provides great leftovers for the next day.

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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 and easy, needing just three ingredients and only 10 minutes to prepare. The bright flavors of the pesto combined with Greek yogurt create a comforting dish that you'll want to make again and again. It's perfect for a light summer meal that doesn't take much time to whip up.

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    Pappardelle Pesto Pasta with Veggies

    A bowl of pappardelle pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This pasta dish comes together in no time. With tasty noodles, fresh pesto, and healthy veggies, you can enjoy a meal that feels like it’s from a restaurant, all in under 30 minutes. It's perfect for a light summer dinner.

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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, taking just 20 minutes from start to finish, including chopping. It's a light and refreshing dish perfect for summer, featuring plenty of fresh vegetables and no heavy cream. This meal highlights the flavors of the veggies, making it a great choice for a simple and satisfying dinner.

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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. It combines the creamy goodness of traditional Carbonara with tender shrimp for a satisfying meal. This dish brings together the best of seafood and pasta, and it’s easy to make without any cream.

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    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    Mushroom and sweet corn pasta combines the rich flavor of mushrooms with the sweetness of charred corn, all brought together with a light cream sauce. This dish is simple to prepare and can be ready in just half an hour, making it a great option for a quick meal. It's a satisfying meatless choice that’s perfect for summer.

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    Roasted Garlic Blue Cheese Pasta Salad

    Roasted Garlic Blue Cheese Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Pups with Chopsticks.

    This creamy pasta salad features fresh vegetables mixed with a rich roasted garlic and miso blue cheese dressing. If blue cheese isn't your favorite, you can leave it out and still enjoy the delicious umami flavors from the miso. It's a great dish for summer, bringing together light ingredients that are perfect for warm weather.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Set It and Forget It Recipes for When You’re Too Tired to Think
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      21 Easy Recipes for the Perfect Summer Dinner Party
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      14 Heavenly Blueberry Desserts That Will Make You Smile

    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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