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Come summer, colorful cornucopias of tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, fresh basil and more are ripe for the picking.
There is no shortage of the delightful fresh produce that occur during this time of year. The flavors of the season can be found at your local farmer’s market or even, at a grocery store.
Pasta dishes are the perfect background to showcase the bounty of summer. A summery pasta has all the goodness of the season.
Combine your favorite summer veggies with grated cheese and you’ve got an easy warm-weather supper in minutes.
Summer Pasta Dishes
Fresh cut herbs, juicy tomatoes, and plenty of fresh summer vegetables are front and center of these summer pasta recipes. These recipes can easily be made for a large gathering, or for a small intimate affair.
Our favorite summer pasta recipes include sauces you simmer and ones that require no heat at all, dishes that are vegetarian-friendly, and ones that will satisfy the meat-eater in your family.
Whether you’re in the mood for something warm and comforting or cool and refreshing, there’s a dish in here for you.
Scroll below for the best summer pasta recipes that will give you the most of the season’s produce.
Caprese Pasta
The perfect summer pasta recipe to enjoy the bounty of tomatoes.
This pasta has all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad – fresh mozzarella, olive oil, basil and ripe tomatoes, with a little garlic for extra spice.
Burrata Pasta
The burrata cheese is made from mozzarella and cream and lends a unique and rich flavor to the sun-dried tomatoes pesto.
Pasta Primavera
With roasted tomatoes, sweet corn, and zucchini – this summer pasta is a great way to add fresh veggies for the vegetable-adverse eaters in your family.
Spaghetti with Ricotta & Tomatoes
Creamy and flavorful – this summer dinner comes together in mere minutes.
The ricotta adds a deep richness, while the basil pesto lends a bright flavor to the dish.
If you are short on time, store-bought pesto works in this simple pasta dish.
Butter Roasted Tomato Pasta
Roasting the tomatoes in butter lends a deep flavor and is the star of the show.
The roasted tomatoes can be made ahead of time, if you are short on time.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta
The succulent shrimp and sweet, tomato sauce make this a classy dish to serve company or makes for an easy weeknight dinner.
Serve with bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Shrimp Alfredo
The creamy sauce is perfect with most proteins – shrimp, scallops or chicken.
The versatile, silky sauce is one that can should be on rotation for an easy summer dinner.
Lobster Pasta with Tomatoes
Want to impress dinner guests?
Luxurious pieces of lobster tail cooked in a delicious mix of garlic and white wine sauce are a perfect way to spoil your guests.
Salmon Pasta
Big chunks of roasted salmon and the salty flavor of capers are a welcome burst of flavor in this creamy pasta dish.
The lemon zest brings the flavors together.
Squid & Fennel Pasta
The warm summer months calls for fresh seafood, a handful of fresh herbs, and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Meyer Lemon Crab Pasta
A pasta that has several layers of flavors.
The fresh flavor from the Meyer lemons, the spice from the chili, and the crunch from the breadcrumbs is a vibrant and bold dish which celebrates the best of summer produce.
Linguine with Clams
This dish is a classic Neapolitan dish that is perfect for your next dinner party.
It encompasses the best, fresh flavors of the season.
Serve with a cold glass of wine.
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Red pepper sauce is a twist on the classic tomato sauce.
Roasted red peppers, spices, and milk, make for a rich and velvety pasta sauce.
Pea Pesto Pasta
Peas create an ultra creamy sauce infused with basil, garlic and a squeeze of lemon.
This light sauce is made in less than 10 minutes and can be stored for days.
Basil Pesto Pasta
This basil pesto sauce is easily customizable to ingredients that are on hand.
Add sun-dried tomatoes for a depth of flavor to the sauce. Finish off with crusty bread and a glass of wine.
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
A decadently cheesy pasta which requires minimal effort.
Fresh lemon adds a fresh flavor to the pasta dish.
Lemon Cacio e Pepe
A dish with minimal ingredients, but has a maximum impact.
The pecorino romano and fresh ground pepper, make a significant impact to the flavor of the dish.
The fresh lemon in the dish is a game changer.
Zucchini Pasta with Ricotta
A quick pasta that should be in your weeknight repertoire.
Fresh summer zucchini, heavy cream, and creamy ricotta come together in the same amount of time as the pasta cooks.
Spaghetti with Fried Zucchini
Zucchini slices coated with panko, Parmesan and lemon zest takes a life of its own.
Place the zucchini on a bowl of hot pasta and you’ll have dish that the whole family will enjoy.
Pasta Alla Norma
A classic Sicilian dish with roasted eggplants and marinara sauce.
This dish is proof that simple ingredients can yield spectacular results. A perfect dish to serve in the late summer.
Eggplant & Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
Ricotta cheese slowly melts into the tomato sauce and coats the pasta.
The pasta is loaded with summer vegetables, but still light enough for a hot, summer night.
Corn Pasta
A simple roux of butter and flour are the base of this dish.
The fresh basil leaves create the perfect contrast to the creamy sauce.
Bacon & Corn Pasta
A one-pot dish that is perfect for those busy nights.
Frozen or fresh corn, and savory bacon are the stars of this dish. Freshly grated parmesan cheese enhances the creaminess of the dish.
Pasta with Burrata & Corn
This dish is fresh and simple, but the creamy burrata takes this easy meal to the next level.
