Summer Pasta Recipes That Will Be The Most Popular Dish On the Table, Guaranteed

By Southern Living
Ralph Anderson

When the summer months hit we’re always game to lighten up. Whether we’re talking our hair color, wardrobe, or workload, it’s high time to sit on back and take our cues from that warm breeze and relentless sunshine. The one area that demands a little extra attention this time of year has to be that stunning farmers’ market bounty that’s just coming into its own. We’re talking tomatoes, okra, squashes, peppers, berries, and more. This colorful cornucopia is ripe for the picking and ready to dazzle your dinner table. Each recipe in our collection of summer pasta recipes will put the best of the season on display in delicious bowlfuls overflowing with inspiration. Many of the recipes featured here can be tailored to suit your tastes or, just as simply, anything you happen to have on hand.

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Greek Baked Ziti

This easy dish is perfect to prepare and freeze to cook on busy weeknights.

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Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Wondering what to do with that bumper crop of summer squash? Our winner of a baked pasta dinner will put it to good use. Just make sure to broil the veggies before adding them to the pasta.

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Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce

A taste of the coast is never too far off when this recipe is in your repertoire. Stick to smaller tomato varieties for this dish—they’ll pack the most flavor.

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Chicken Caprese Pasta

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chicken Caprese Pasta

It’s hard to believe this company-worthy dish comes together in just 20 minutes, but it does. The bright green pesto and colorful tomatoes make a beautiful plate that’s begging to be enjoyed even on the busiest of weeknights.

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Shrimp Boil Pasta

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Shrimp Boil Pasta

Skip the messy shrimp boil and throw all those delicious flavors into one satisfying bowl of pasta. A sprinkle of fresh thyme just before serving makes all the difference.

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Spaghetti with Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Spaghetti with Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Make up a big batch of our Mouthwatering Marinated Tomatoes earlier in the afternoon (they’ll need to sit for an hour and 45 minutes before serving. When dinnertime is calling, toss together cooked thin spaghetti, Marinated Tomatoes, and small mozzarella balls—this recipe is as simple as that.

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Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and Basil

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and Basil

Vibrant pesto, crunchy country ham, creamy goat cheese, and plenty of stunning tomatoes create one dreamy pasta dish. You’ll be serving this up all summer, we guarantee it.

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Shrimp and Peas with Farfalle

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Shrimp and Peas with Farfalle

If you’re looking to save time, skip the fresh English peas and opt for frozen peas that have been thawed instead. Toasting the breadcrumbs gives them a richer flavor and crunchier texture.

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Farmers' Market Pasta Salad

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Farmers’ Market Pasta Salad

For a heartier dish, swap penne pasta for a 20-oz package refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini. Pick up a rotisserie chicken from your supermarket deli to get this pasta salad on the table in a flash.

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Summer Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

This light and fresh pasta salad is a great make-and-take option for your next summer celebration. Whip up a big batch and keep it in the fridge until it’s party time. Cute, melamine bowls with lids will make transportation a breeze.

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Field Pea and Pasta Salad

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Field Pea and Pasta Salad

This recipe calls for a colorful array of bell peppers, but feel free to leave out varieties that you don’t have on hand. Parsley, basil, dill, and mint bring a medley of herbaceous flavor that you won’t want to miss.

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Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone

We love simple summer recipes that let a few key ingredients really shine. Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone is a perfect example of that technique. Tomatoes, fresh herbs, and rich mascarpone cheese are the stars of this elegant supper.

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Garden Tomato Sauce

Photo: Dhanraj Emanuel

Recipe: Garden Tomato Sauce Over Pasta

Don’t have time to make fresh tomato sauce? Think again! This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes.

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Zucchini-Mint Pasta

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Zucchini-Mint Pasta

To make this side dish pasta into a main-dish worthy meal, add either cooked shrimp or white beans.

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Roasted Vegetable Gnocchi with Spinach-Herb Pesto

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Gnocchi with Spinach-Herb Pesto

You should be able to find gnocchi in the dried pasta aisle of your grocery store. The Spinach-Herb Pesto is a slightly more mild take on traditional pesto—you’re going to love it.

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Burst Tomato and Herb Spaghetti

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Burst Tomato and Herb Spaghetti

Those tomatoes might burst with a vengeance, so be sure to cover the skillet to prevent splatters.

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Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes

We snuck whole-wheat pasta into this fresh pasta salad and we bet your toughest food critics won’t even notice. If you can’t find haricots verts, fresh green beans will work in a pinch. 

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Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad

Grilling the veggies takes this fresh pasta salad to the next level. The cheese-and-spinach tortelloni provides a heartier match for those thick-cut veggies.

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Grilled Chicken-and-Veggie Tortellini

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Grilled Chicken-and-Veggie Tortellini

This recipe calls for a hefty dose of ground Italian herb seasoning; it packs a punch without requiring a basket full of fresh herbs.

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Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Peppery watercress or baby arugula make a fine compliment to this sweet and savory orzo pasta salad.

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Spinach-and-Herb Pastatta

Melina Hammer

Recipe: Spinach-and-Herb Pastatta

Call it a casserole, call it a frittata, just go ahead and make this perfectly summery pasta dish as soon as possible.

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Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus

This is going to be just a tad different from the fettuccine Alfredo you’re used to. Our recipe calls for just a splash of vodka. It brings an energetic jolt to the creamy sauce.

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Summer Tortellini Salad

Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Summer Tortellini Salad

There’s a reason so many of our summer pasta recipes call for frozen tortellini—it’s a fast and inexpensive way to get a hearty pasta dish on the table in record time. Here we pair cheese tortellini with cooked chicken, olives, bell pepper, onion, and a wonderful dressing that stars herbes de Provence.

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