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50 Best Summer Pasta Recipes

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy lighter and more refreshing pasta dishes. Our collection of summer pasta recipes features ingredients that are at their peak during the season, such as ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, and crisp vegetables. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a delightful pasta salad for your next picnic, these recipes are sure to bring the tastes of summer to your table.

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1. Pasta with Pesto Genovese

Embrace the traditional flavors of Italy with this vibrant Pasta with Pesto Genovese recipe. Delicate pieces of pasta are coated in a fresh, aromatic pesto, made from basil, pine nuts, and a mix of Parmesan and Pecorino Romano cheeses. This is a dish that truly sings of Italian summer, no matter the season.

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2. Linguine with White Clam Sauce

This coastal pasta dish, tossed in a creamy, briny sauce loaded with fresh clams, makes for an incredibly flavorful and satisfying dish. The touch of lemon zest adds a brightness that ties everything together beautifully.

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3. Rigatoni alla Norma

Rigatoni alla Norma is a classic Sicilian pasta dish that incorporates rigatoni pasta, rich tomato sauce, sautéed eggplant, and a garnish of grated Ricotta Salata cheese. With its fresh flavors and hearty ingredients, it's a perfect dish for both weekday meals and special occasions.

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4. Sun-dried Tomato and Artichoke Pasta

Bursting with bright, Mediterranean flavors, this olive oil-based pasta marries tangy sun-dried tomatoes with tender artichokes, fragrant garlic, spicy Calabrian chili, and fresh basil.

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5. Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce

This recipe features a refreshing pasta dish using fusilli and a vibrant sauce made from fresh tomatoes. The tomato sauce is prepared by blending raw tomatoes with olive oil and grated garlic, enhancing the natural sweetness of the tomatoes while adding a flavorful kick.

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6. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a classic Italian dish that combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful, satisfying meal. Featuring a light sauce made from olive oil, garlic, and Calabrian chilis, this pasta dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy date night at home. The vibrant flavor of the parsley and the touch of saltiness from Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese really brings the dish together.

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7. Spaghetti Arrabiata for Two

Indulge in the fiery, savory delight of Spaghetti Arrabiata! This classic Italian dish combines al dente pasta with a spicy, garlicky tomato sauce, rounded off perfectly with a sprinkle of freshly microplaned pecorino and parmesan.

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8. Zesty Zucchini and Ricotta Pasta Toss

A creamy and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender zucchini, ricotta, and a hint of lemon zest.

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9. Creamy Corn Pasta

A delightful and comforting pasta dish with a creamy corn sauce, scallions, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs.

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10. Garlic-Infused Pasta with Sun-Kissed Tomatoes and Olive Crunch

A delicious pasta dish featuring garlic-infused oil, slow-roasted tomatoes, and a delightful olive crunch.

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11. Linguine alla Puttanesca

A robust and savory pasta dish featuring a sauce made with tomatoes, olives, capers, and anchovies.

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12. Lemon Zest Linguine Delight

A simple yet elegant dish that brings a bright, citrusy twist to your table.

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13. Fusilli with Pancetta and Cherry Tomatoes

A delectable pasta dish featuring fusilli, crispy pancetta, and burst cherry tomatoes, garnished with fresh mint and scallions.

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14. Lemon-Kissed Cherry Tomato and Greens Spaghetti

A vibrant and fresh spaghetti dish with cherry tomatoes, mixed greens, and a hint of lemon.

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15. Sicilian Eggplant and Tomato Pasta

A rich, savory pasta dish featuring browned eggplant, tomatoes, and a mix of fresh herbs and cheese.

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16. Zesty Lemon-Basil Zucchini Ribbon Pasta

A delightful pasta dish featuring zucchini ribbons, fresh basil, and a zesty lemon finish.

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17. Zesty Italian Fusion Pasta Salad

This Zesty Italian Fusion Pasta Salad is a delightful medley of flavors and textures that will be the star of any gathering. It serves 10 and can be made ahead for convenience.

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18. Tortellini & Arugula Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts

A refreshing salad combining cheese tortellini, cherry tomatoes, baby arugula, and toasted pine nuts, all tossed in a fragrant basil and lemon dressing.

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19. Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce and Fried Caper Crumbs

A delightful pasta dish featuring a rich burst cherry tomato sauce and crunchy fried caper crumbs.

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20. Creamy Parmesan Zucchini Spaghetti

A delightful pasta dish featuring tender zucchini and a creamy Parmesan sauce.

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21. Tomato & Burrata Rigatoni

A vibrant and fresh pasta dish with ripe tomatoes, garlic-infused olive oil, creamy burrata cheese, and torn basil leaves.

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22. Golden Crispy Gnocchi with Fresh Tomato & Red Onion Salad

A delightful dish featuring pan-crisped gnocchi paired with a fresh tomato and red onion salad, dressed with balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs.

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23. Avocado & Mozzarella Pasta Salad Delight

A refreshing and creamy pasta salad combining ripe avocados, fresh mozzarella, and a zesty dressing.

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24. Summer Garden Penne Pasta

A light and fresh pasta dish featuring a medley of summer vegetables, including corn, zucchini, tomatoes, and a hint of tarragon.

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25. Classic Tomato Basil Spaghetti

A simple yet delicious spaghetti dish featuring fresh tomatoes, basil, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

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26. Creamy Orecchiette with Sweet Corn, Spicy Jalapeño, and Feta

A delightful pasta dish featuring orecchiette with a creamy sauce made from sweet corn, spicy jalapeño, and tangy feta cheese, garnished with fresh basil.

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27. Mediterranean Eggplant-Zucchini Pasta with Feta & Dill

A delightful Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish featuring eggplant, zucchini, feta cheese, and dill.

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28. Tomato-Arugula Orecchiette with Pecorino

A simple yet flavorful pasta dish combining orecchiette with fresh cherry tomatoes, arugula, and pecorino cheese.

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29. Shrimp Orzo Primavera with Zesty Lemon and Basil

A light and flavorful pasta dish featuring sautéed shrimp, orzo, and fresh vegetables, finished with lemon zest and basil.

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30. Classic Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

Elevate your pasta dishes with this timeless tomato basil sauce, perfect for a quick and frugal meal. Versatile in its use, it pairs beautifully with pasta, enhances meat and fish dishes, and serves as an excellent pizza sauce.

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31. Charred Corn Fregula Salad

A vibrant and flavorful salad made with charred corn, fregula, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette.

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32. Toasted Fregula and Charred Corn Salad

This delightful toasted fregula and charred corn salad is a perfect blend of textures and flavors, making it a standout dish for any occasion.

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33. Charred Corn Fregula with Lemon-Scallion Vinaigrette

A delightful pasta dish combining fregula, charred corn, and a zesty lemon-scallion vinaigrette.

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34. Lemon-Infused Linguine Delight

A refreshing pasta dish featuring linguine tossed in a zesty lemon sauce with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

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35. Lemon-Infused Linguine Delight

A refreshing pasta dish featuring linguine tossed in a zesty lemon and garlic sauce, topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

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36. Zesty Lemon Linguine Delight

A simple, yet elegant pasta dish featuring zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

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37. Fresh Tomato Penne Al Fresco

A simple and fresh pasta dish made with ripe tomatoes and topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

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38. Black Ink Linguine with Tender Calamari

A dish that marries the deep, briny notes of squid ink with the succulence of calamari, perfect for seafood enthusiasts.

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39. White Wine and Garlic Linguine with Clams

A delightful linguine dish featuring clams steamed in a flavorful broth of white wine, garlic, and red pepper flakes, garnished with fresh Italian parsley.

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40. Creamy Ricotta & Summer Squash Pennette

A delightful pasta dish combining creamy ricotta, tender summer squash, and fresh mint for a refreshing summer meal.

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41. Mediterranean Mussels & Tomato Basil Spaghetti

A delightful pasta dish featuring multigrain spaghetti, fresh mussels, cherry tomatoes, and basil, infused with white wine and lemon zest.

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42. Smoky Paprika Steak & Summer Vegetable Spaghetti

A dish that combines robust flavors with the freshness of summer produce.

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43. Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Penne with Feta and Walnuts

A delightful pasta dish featuring smoky grilled vegetables, hearty penne, and a burst of fresh herbs, topped with feta and walnuts.

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44. Grilled Garden Vegetable Rotini with Goat Cheese

A vibrant pasta dish that combines grilled garden vegetables, a rich tomato and white wine sauce, and creamy goat cheese.

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45. Mediterranean Shrimp and Fennel Pasta

A delightful blend of fresh seafood, aromatic vegetables, and robust Mediterranean flavors.

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46. Sun-Kissed No-Cook Tomato Basil Sauce

A vibrant and fresh no-cook tomato basil sauce that's perfect for summer days.

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47. Summer Squash & Toasted Walnut Fedelini

A delightful pasta dish featuring tender summer squash, toasted walnuts, and aromatic herbs, perfect for a summer meal.

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48. Shanghai Summer Breeze Cold Noodles

A delightful cold noodle dish with a perfect balance of flavors and textures, crafted with care.

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49. Coastal Delight Fideuà with Alioli

A delightful Spanish seafood dish made with fideos pasta, various seafood, and served with a rich alioli.

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50. Lemon Orzo with Feta

A bright and fresh orzo dish seasoned with lemon and dill, complemented by creamy feta cheese.

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Cooking Tips for Summer Pasta Recipes

What Pasta Shape is Best for Summer Recipes?

Choose pasta shapes that hold light sauces well, such as fusilli, penne, or farfalle, to complement the delicate flavors of summer dishes.

How Can I Keep Pasta from Sticking Together?

To prevent sticking, stir pasta occasionally while it cooks and rinse it with cold water after draining if you're using it for a cold pasta salad.

Should I Use Fresh or Dried Pasta for Summer Recipes?

Fresh pasta is great for lighter sauces and cooks quickly, making it ideal for summer meals, while dried pasta is better for heartier dishes.

How Can I Enhance the Flavor of My Pasta Dish?

Incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients and don't forget to season your pasta water with salt to infuse the pasta with flavor as it cooks.

What are the Best Vegetables to Include in Summer Pasta?

Opt for seasonal produce like zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and fresh greens to add color and nutrition to your pasta dishes.