These summer pasta recipes are packed with peak-season produce like tomatoes, basil, and zucchini. Try one for a fresh, easy weeknight dinner!
I’ve written a LOT of summer pasta recipes over the years. The reason is simple: anytime I come home from the farmers market with a pile of the season’s best produce and no plan for how to use it, a pasta dish feels like the perfect solution.
This delicious Italian carb can pair with any vegetable, and it cooks in a matter of minutes. So if I want to get a veggie-packed summer dinner on the table quickly, pasta always does the trick.
I’m sharing 20 of my best summer pasta recipes below. If you could use some new ideas for your weeknight rotation, or if you’re looking for ways to make the most of summer produce, check them out. They’re all super simple and fresh—just what I enjoy at this time of year. I think you’ll love them too!
Green-on-Green Summer Pasta Recipes
Zucchini Pasta
Got too much zucchini on your hands? This zesty summer pasta will help you use it up! 2 full pounds of grated squash cook down into a lightly silky sauce for the pasta.
Pesto Gnocchi
Basil pesto and bursty cherry tomatoes pack this 20-minute dinner with fresh summer flavor.
Pesto Pasta
I can’t get enough basil pesto in the summertime. When I’m not making the gnocchi above, I toss it with spaghetti, bucatini, or linguine for a quick, elegant summer pasta!
Bright & Zesty Pastas
Lemon Pasta
This bright, creamy pasta comes together in 20 minutes with 6 basic ingredients! Pair it with lemon green beans or a green salad for a fresh summer meal.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
I add lemon juice, lemon zest, and a full bunch of kale to this brighter, fresher take on Italian spaghetti aglio e olio.
Linguine with Tomatoes and Lemon
This recipe only calls for a few basic ingredients, but each one is a heavy hitter. Burrata adds creamy richness, roasted tomatoes add savory flavor, and finely chopped roasted lemons sneak in bursts of brightness. It’s a super simple, yet impressive, summer meal.
Artichoke Pasta
My 5-ingredient lemon butter sauce is the secret to this pasta’s rich, zesty flavor. It’s fantastic with roasted baby artichokes, but if you can’t find them, feel free to substitute another vegetable. Blanched green beans, broccolini, or even canned artichokes would be great.
Fresh Vegetable Pastas
Pasta Primavera
This colorful summer meal is essentially half veggie, half pasta! All the veggies cook together in a single skillet, so it’s super simple to toss together.
Cherry Tomato Bucatini Pasta
When I buy too many cherry tomatoes at the farmers market (aka every single week), I make this easy summer pasta to use them up. Half the tomatoes cook down into a sweet and tangy sauce, while the rest stay intact, adding juicy, bursty texture.
Roasted Vegetable Pasta
This easy pasta is one of my favorite ways to use up a variety of summer veggies. Just roast all the veggies until they’re tender and caramelized, then toss them with pasta, feta, and a quick lemon vinaigrette. Tip: Not feeling feta? Parmesan cheese would be great here too.
Creamy Summer Pasta Dishes
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Tired of regular old marinara sauce? This creamy roasted red pepper and sun-dried tomato sauce is an easy, delicious summer swap!
Creamy Corn Pasta
Hands down one of my favorite summer pasta recipes! With a creamy blended corn sauce and more corn kernels for crunch, it’s a sweet corn celebration.
Creamy Pasta Pomodoro
No heavy cream here! Blended cashews give this creamy plant-based tomato sauce its comforting texture.
Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
Easy Pasta Salad
With over 500 5-star reviews, this herb-packed pasta salad is one of our most popular summer pasta recipes!
Pesto Pasta Salad
Like any pasta salad, this recipe is a great cookout side dish. But I love it for dinner too. On a hot summer night, this cool, refreshing pasta hits the spot.
Italian Pasta Salad
My homemade Italian dressing, olives, and pepperoncini pack this pasta salad with bold, zesty flavor.
Orzo Salad
If you love a classic Greek salad, you’ll love this orzo salad too. It stars tangy feta, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh mint, and my easy Greek salad dressing.
Caprese Pasta Salad
This quick and easy pasta salad is practically summer in a bowl! It takes the key ingredients from a classic Caprese salad and transforms them into a packable picnic side dish.
Tortellini Salad
If you’ve never made a tortellini pasta salad, you’re missing out! The chewy, cheesy tortellini make it super filling and fun to eat.
BLT Pasta Salad
All the flavors of your favorite summer sandwich, now in pasta salad form! Instead of using actual bacon, I sub smoky tempeh bacon to make this recipe meat-free.
Summer Pasta Recipes: Cherry Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bucatini pasta
- â…“ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
- 3 pints cherry tomatoes
- 2½ tablespoons capers
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1½ cups fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup grated pecorino cheese, or Parmesan or Vegan Parmesan, optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions, or until al dente. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring, until soft and fragrant. Add half the tomatoes along with the capers, lemon zest, vinegar, salt, red pepper flakes, and several grinds of pepper. Toss to coat. If the oil starts to sputter while cooking, turn the heat down as needed. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring often, until the tomatoes break down and release their juices.
- Add the remaining tomatoes, stir, and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the second addition of tomatoes is just beginning to burst. Add the pasta and toss to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 more minutes, or until the pasta is coated in the sauce and heated through.
- Stir in the basil and cheese, if using. Season to taste and serve.
