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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Lightning-Fast Pasta Dinners That Fit Your Summer Schedule

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 22, 2025, updated July 20, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time for quick and easy meals, and pasta is a fantastic option. With just a few ingredients and minimal cooking time, you can whip up 22 delicious pasta dinners that fit right into your busy summer schedule. These recipes are not only fast but also satisfying, making them ideal for warm evenings when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Dinner is easy with just five ingredients and one pot. This simple meal is perfect for busy summer nights when you want something quick and satisfying. It’s a great way to enjoy a delicious pasta dish without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a simple and delicious meal that features tender shrimp, well-cooked pasta, and a flavorful garlic butter sauce. In just 15 minutes, you can prepare a satisfying dish that the whole family will love. It's perfect for those busy summer evenings when you want something quick and tasty.

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    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, you can prepare a delicious vegetarian halloumi pasta loaded with fresh vegetables. This light dish is creamy-free, making it a great option for a quick summer dinner. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad

    Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Peanut Butter & Julie.

    This Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh veggies, cheese, salami, and herbs, all mixed together with a tangy red wine vinaigrette. It's a great option for serving a group, but it’s also hearty enough to enjoy as a main dish. Plus, it stores well in the fridge, making it a convenient choice for tasty leftovers.

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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 quick dinner that you can prepare in just 10 minutes. With just three ingredients, including fresh pesto sauce and Greek yogurt, this dish is both comforting and satisfying. It's sure to become a go-to meal in your home.

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    Tuna Pasta Salad

    Tuna pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Homemade Interest.

    Tuna pasta salad is packed with fresh veggies and vibrant flavors, making it a light and enjoyable meal. It's a low-calorie option that's easy to whip up, ideal for sharing with friends and family.

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    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken pasta dish is ready in 30 minutes or less, making it perfect for a busy weeknight. It features a creamy homemade alfredo sauce, tender slices of chicken breast, and perfectly cooked noodles. This meal is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

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    Creamy Spinach Pasta

    Creamy Spinach Pasta.
    Photo credit: Six Hungry Feet.

    A quick and easy creamy spinach pasta sauce can be made with just six simple ingredients. This vegan and raw sauce is ideal for a fast and satisfying summer meal. Simply blend the ingredients together, mix with your favorite pasta, and enjoy a delicious dish that everyone will appreciate.

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    Tuscan Pasta Salad

    Tuscan Pasta Salad Recipe
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    Tuscan Pasta Salad is a quick and tasty summer dish that works well as a light meal or a side. It's loaded with fresh veggies, beans, and cheese, making it a flavorful choice that you can whip up in no time.

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    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Red pesto pasta is a quick and delicious meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes. It's loaded with vegetables and full of flavor, making it a great option for any time of the day. You can enjoy it warm or cold, so it's perfect for summer days when you want something light and easy.

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    Italian Pasta Salad

    Italian Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This Italian pasta salad is a quick and delicious option packed with fresh vegetables, mozzarella, and salami, all mixed together with a tasty homemade dressing. It's ideal for a light summer meal that you can whip up in under 30 minutes. Enjoy a satisfying dish that brings together vibrant flavors and textures, perfect for those warm days.

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    Asparagus Pasta Salad

    Spring Asparagus Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Little Nomads Recipes.

    This Pasta Salad with Asparagus is bright and refreshing. It's simple to make and packed with fresh flavors, all without any mayo. Picture tender asparagus, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, a hint of lemon zest, and a drizzle of olive oil coming together for a delightful dish.

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is simple and quick to prepare, making it ideal for a tasty summer meal when you're short on time. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner that captures the flavors of the season.

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    Cherry Caprese Pasta Salad

    Cherry Caprese Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This summer pasta salad is a great option for any meal, whether you want it as a side or a main dish. It's a nice mix of sweet and savory flavors, making it enjoyable for everyone. Plus, it's vegetarian and can be easily adapted to be vegan, so it fits a variety of diets.

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    Avocado Pasta Salad

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

    Avocado pasta salad is easy to make and packed with flavor. It's perfect for summer get-togethers or when you need a quick meal. This dish combines creamy avocado with pasta for a satisfying and refreshing option.

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    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta

    Mushroom Sweet Corn Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    Mushroom and sweet corn pasta is a quick and filling meatless option that you can prepare in just 30 minutes. The combination of earthy mushrooms and charred corn in a light cream sauce makes it a great choice for a simple summer dinner. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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 summer dish that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. It's light and fresh, making it ideal for warm days. Toss in some mozzarella or burrata cheese to make it even better!

    Get the recipe

    Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

    Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This easy pasta dish is perfect for busy summer evenings. With just 7 ingredients, you can whip it up in 20 minutes. It’s versatile too, as you can easily make it vegetarian or vegan with a few simple changes.

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    Lemon Pepper Pasta

    Lemon Pepper Pasta.
    Photo credit: Pretty Delicious Life.

    Lemon Pepper Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's quick to prepare with just a few basic ingredients, making it ideal for a busy weeknight meal. A sprinkle of extra parmesan cheese on top adds a nice finishing touch.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Pesto Pasta

    Easy Pesto Pasta.
    Photo credit: Joy Food Sunshine.

    Pesto pasta is a quick and delicious meal that comes together in a flash. It works well as a main dish or a side, and you can enjoy it warm or chilled. Perfect for those busy summer days, this dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe.

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon crème fraîche pasta is a quick and delicious meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. It's a light and flavorful option that's great for any evening when you're short on time. Perfect for busy nights, this dish brings together simple ingredients for a satisfying dinner.

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    Creamy Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This summer pasta is quick to prepare and loaded with fresh vegetables. It's a healthy choice that fits perfectly into a busy schedule. You can have a satisfying meal on the table in no time.

    Get the 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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