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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Quick and Delicious Pasta Recipes for Lazy Summer Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 21, 2025, updated May 7, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer nights are perfect for quick and easy meals, and pasta is a go-to option that never disappoints. With just a few ingredients and minimal cooking time, you can whip up 22 different pasta dishes that are both satisfying and flavorful. Whether you prefer something light and fresh or rich and comforting, these recipes will help you enjoy the warm evenings without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This tortellini dish is easy to make and packed with flavor. It's tossed in a skillet with lemon, garlic, basil, and olive oil for a refreshing summer meal.

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    Lemon Garlic Pasta

    A plate of lemon garlic pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Cinnamon Jar.

    One-pan lemon garlic pasta, or Pasta al Limone, is a tasty dish that's simple to whip up for a quick weeknight meal. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something flavorful without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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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    Quick Burst Tomato Pasta With Halloumi

    Quick Burst Tomato Pasta With Halloumi.
    Photo Credit: The Greek Foodie.

    This pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes and halloumi is perfect for summer days. With just a few ingredients like garlic, basil, and a hint of spice, it’s a simple and delicious meal that doesn’t take much effort.

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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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    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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    Pasta With Zucchini And Tomatoes

    Pasta With Zucchini And Tomatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Candid Cooks.

    Pasta with zucchini and tomatoes is a great choice for summer dinners. It's light, fresh, and healthy, and you can whip it up in about 20 minutes with just 7 ingredients.

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    One Pot Caprese Pasta

    One Pot Caprese Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This One-Pot Caprese Pasta is quick to prepare in just 10 minutes and doesn't need any draining. It's a simple option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Incredibly Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

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

    This dish is easy to prepare ahead of time and works well for any gathering. With just six basic ingredients, it offers a fresh and classic pasta option that everyone enjoys.

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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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    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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    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

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

    Bruschetta chicken pasta is a simple weeknight meal loaded with chicken, cherry tomatoes, and fresh ingredients. It can be enjoyed warm or as a refreshing cold pasta salad.

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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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    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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    Pasta Aglio e Olio

    Pasta aglio e oglio.
    Photo credit: The Gourmet Bon Vivant.

    This pasta with garlic and oil is a simple yet elegant dish that elevates plain noodles to something special. It's a great option for a quick meal that feels a bit fancy.

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    Quick Alfredo Pasta

    Quick Alfredo Pasta Recipe
    Photo Credit: Longbourn Farm.

    This creamy alfredo pasta is a favorite for weeknight dinners. You can have a delicious meal on the table in just 20 minutes with only one pan.

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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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    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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    Veggie Loaded Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

    Pasta salad with veggies and Italian dressing.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This quick pasta salad with Italian dressing is ready in under 30 minutes and packed with fresh vegetables. It's a great option for a filling side dish or an easy meal prep.

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    Ricotta Pesto Pasta

    Ricotta Pesto Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Through the Fibro Fog.

    This quick 20-minute ricotta pesto pasta is a great vegetarian dinner option. It features a creamy, garlicky sauce packed with herbs and is made with just a few simple ingredients.

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    French Onion Pasta

    French Onion Pasta with wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: Sunglow Kitchen.

    French onion pasta combines sweet caramelized onions, fresh thyme, and Gruyere cheese, all cooked together in one pot for a creamy dish. It's a fancy-tasting meal that's simple enough for a weeknight dinner.

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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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    More Recipe Roundups

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      17 Easy Vegetarian Crockpot Meals That Are Full of Flavor
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      27 Cheap Dinners You Can Meal Prep for the Week
    • CREAMY BAKED ZITI.
      19 Simple Freezer Casseroles You’ll Want to Try Right Now

    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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