22 Summer Pasta Recipes

Ah, summer – a season bursting with vibrant colors, lively energy, and, of course, the tantalizing aromas of fresh produce. As the days grow longer and the nights become warmer, our kitchens become a haven for experimenting with flavors reminiscent of sunny European getaways or breezy Mediterranean beaches. And what better canvas for these seasonal ingredients than pasta? The world of summer pasta recipes is an exciting and fresh way to cook something that will bring back fond memories of summer. 

Collage of 22 easy summer pasta recipes for dinnerthendessert.com

From the rustic lanes of the Italian countryside to the bustling streets of New York, these mouthwatering pasta recipes will be enjoyed by the whole family. The beauty of summer pasta lies in its adaptability and simplicity. From fresh tomatoes to zesty lemons, aromatic basil, or even the catch of the day – they all find their rightful place in a summer pasta dish. The trick is to let these ingredients shine. Summer produce is so vibrant and flavorful on its own it barely needs any dressing up. With a drizzle of good olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt, you’ll be halfway to a meal that sings of backyard parties and picnics.

For those who are keen on diving into the deep end, how about a light Lemon Ricotta Pasta or a creamy Spinach Artichoke Ravioli Bake? Or if you adore the sea’s bounty, a Seafood Pasta Salad tossed in garlic and white wine – an ode to coastal culinary delights. But wait, there’s more for the adventurous souls! Ever tried adding fruit to your pasta salad? A Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad might sound unconventional, but it’s a refreshing symphony of sweet, tart, and savory.

Remember, summer is the time to be bold in your culinary choices. Experiment, innovate, and, above all, enjoy the process. Think of your kitchen as an artist’s studio, and your pasta as the canvas. Each ingredient is a brushstroke, contributing to a masterpiece that’s both delightful to the palate and pleasing to the eye.

Summer offers a fleeting yet fabulous window to turn ordinary pasta into something extraordinary. Embrace the abundance of the season, and let your summer pasta dishes be a reflection of your culinary passion and creativity. Go ahead, roll up those sleeves, boil that pasta, and let’s make this summer deliciously unforgettable! 

1/22

Mexican Avocado BLT Pasta Salad

Avocado BLT Pasta Salad with avocados blended into a cilantro lime dressing and chunks for a delicious creamy bite with bacon, lettuce and tomatoes.
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2/22

Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad

Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad with almonds, feta, and an easy balsamic and olive oil dressing is the perfect side dish for a potluck or get together.
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3/22

Lobster Mac and Cheese

This easy Lobster Mac and Cheese is the ultimate elegant comfort food. Chunks of fresh lobster meat and tender macaroni in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce.
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4/22

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta

Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta is an easy pasta dish with seasoned chicken, fresh veggies, and tomatoes in a creamy sauce with fajita flavor!
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5/22

Spinach Artichoke Ravioli Bake

Spinach Artichoke Ravioli Bake is a quick and easy cheese ravioli lasagna with a rich, creamy sauce made with cream cheese, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
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6/22

Classic Shrimp Alfredo

Classic Shrimp Alfredo is a fresh seafood version of alfredo pasta with fettuccine pasta, perfectly seasoned shrimp, and cheesy, creamy sauce.
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7/22

Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake is the perfect cozy weeknight dinner with a thick, creamy, cheesy pesto sauce and crisp cracker topping.
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8/22

Swiss Steak Noodles

Swiss Steak Noodles are a flavorful and comforting dinner with ground beef, bell peppers, mushrooms, and tomato sauce over egg noodles.
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9/22

Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells

Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells are flavorful, cheesy, and wonderfully filling. They’re a family favorite dinner that’s easy to make!
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10/22

Beefy Italian Stuffed Shells

Beefy Italian Stuffed Shells is a melty, cheesy, comforting meal with freshly made tomato sauce, ground beef, and Italian seasoning.
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11/22

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Lemon Ricotta Pasta is an easy weeknight dinner of tender pasta tossed in a creamy lemon ricotta sauce with Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon!
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12/22

Easy Pasta Salad

Easy Pasta Salad made with mozzarella, black olives, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers in a creamy Italian dressing is the PERFECT side dish!
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13/22

Philly Cheesesteak Mac and Cheese

Philly Cheesesteak Mac and Cheese is an easy dinner the family will love. Baked macaroni with peppers, onions, and steak covered in cheesy cheddar goodness.
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14/22

Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Chicken Alfredo Pasta is always a family favorite. The pasta is topped with creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken breast for a filling, tasty dish.
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15/22

Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese

Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese is the perfect creamy, comforting recipe with cheddar cheese, American cheese, mustard, hot sauce, and a crispy cracker topping.
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16/22

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta is delicious, easy comfort food. One-pot pumpkin sauce made with pumpkin puree, chicken broth, heavy cream, and nutmeg.
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17/22

Baked Rigatoni

Baked Rigatoni is the perfect filling weeknight meal with pasta, sausage, marinara sauce, and melty cheese all baked in one pan.
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18/22

Macaroni Salad

Classic Macaroni Salad is an easy side dish you can make the night before your next picnic or potluck with a creamy and tangy dressing.
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19/22

Baked Million Dollar Spaghetti

Baked Million Dollar Spaghetti is creamy and cheesy, topped with meat sauce and extra bubbly cheese, like a cross between ziti and lasagna!
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20/22

Shrimp Pesto Pasta

Shrimp Pesto Pasta is an easy skillet dinner ready in 30 minutes. Shrimp and pasta tossed in fresh homemade basil pesto, topped with shaved Parmesan cheese.
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21/22

Turkey Tetrazzini

Turkey Tetrazzini has tender turkey chunks, pasta, and peas all smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce. A perfect way to use up leftover turkey.
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22/22

Caprese Chicken Tortellini Pasta Salad

Caprese Chicken Tortellini Pasta Salad is the perfect and quick pasta salad for your summer cookout with chicken, fresh mozzarella, tortellini and quick balsamic dressing.
Check out this recipe

About the Author: Sabrina Snyder

Sabrina is a professionally trained Private Chef of over 10 years with ServSafe Manager certification in food safety. She creates all the recipes here on Dinner, then Dessert, fueled in no small part by her love for bacon.

Sabrina Snyder is a professionally trained personal and private chef of over 10 years who is the creator and developer of all the recipes on Dinner, then Dessert.

She is also the author of the cookbook Dinner, then Dessert – Satisfying Meals Using Only 3, 5 or 7 Ingredients, published by Harper Collins.

She started Dinner, then Dessert as a business in her office as a lunch service for her coworkers who admired her lunches before going to culinary school and becoming a full time personal chef and private chef.

As a personal chef Sabrina would cook for families one day a week and cook their entire week of dinners. All grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning was done along with instructions on reheating. As a private chef she cooked for private parties and cooked in family homes in the evenings for families on a nightly basis after working as a personal chef during the day.

Sabrina has been certified as a ServSafe Manager since 2007 and was a longstanding member of the USPCA Personal Chef Association including being on the board of the Washington DC Chapter of Chefs in the US Personal Chef Association when they won Chapter of the year.

As a member of the community of food website creators Sabrina Snyder has spoken at many conferences regarding her experiences as a food writer including the Indulge Food Conference, Everything Food Conference, Haven Food Conference and IACP Annual Food Professionals Conference.

Sabrina lives with her family in sunny California.

Dinner, then Dessert, Inc. owns the copyright on all images and text and does not allow for its original recipes and pictures to be reproduced anywhere other than at this site unless authorization is given. If you enjoyed the recipe and would like to publish it on your own site, please re-write it in your own words, and link back to my site and recipe page. Read my disclosure and copyright policy. This post may contain affiliate links.

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