If you’re anything like us, summer means pasta on repeat — but lighter, brighter, and packed with seasonal ingredients. This roundup of 14 summer pasta recipes is full of crave-worthy dishes you’ll want to make all season long, from pappardelle with a creamy fresh corn sauce to pesto-covered everything. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a casual backyard hang, these recipes are easy, fresh, and totally obsession-worthy.
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1
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta (with Rotisserie Chicken!)
Chicken Pesto Pasta is creamy, cheesy, and tastes like summer! Roasted cherry or grape tomatoes get tossed with pesto sauce, mascarpone, rotisserie chicken, and bocconcini (little mozzarella balls!) for a quick weeknight pasta dish that is packed with flavor!
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2
Pappardelle Pasta with Corn & Basil Cream Sauce
This light, summery Pappardelle Pasta beautifully highlights the best ingredients of the season: fresh corn, blistered cherry tomatoes, and a luscious basil cream sauce! Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper. Thick, creamy, and easily adaptable to be dairy-free. Calling it now, this is the pasta of summer!
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3
Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta Salad with Mozzarella
Don’t sleep on Pesto Shrimp Pasta Salad—it’s a vibrant, delicious combo of sweet roasted tomatoes, juicy shrimp, and a velvety pesto sauce. Even though it tastes gourmet, it comes together in no time, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. The best part is you can serve it warm or chilled, making it super versatile for any occasion!
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4
Creamy Orzo Pasta with Pan-Seared Scallops
This creamy orzo pasta with pan-seared scallops is a restaurant-quality dinner that reminds me of dining by the ocean on a hot summer day. Creamy mascarpone and basil pesto coat tender orzo, while fresh corn and sun-dried tomatoes bring a touch of sweetness to the scallop pasta. My favorite component are the crispy fried capers, which elevate the dish into something worthy of a dinner party or special occasion.
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5
Pesto alla Trapanese (Fresh Summer Tomato Pesto)
Pesto alla Trapanese, a western Sicilian staple, blends peak-season cherry tomatoes, toasted almonds, basil, mint, and olive oil with Parmigiano Reggiano. It comes together in minutes—often before the pasta is done—yielding a bright, subtly nutty sauce that captures Mediterranean summer. Enjoy with weeknight pastas, grilled seafood, or simply serve with crusty bread.
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6
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta with Goat Cheese
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is the perfect for a summer meal. The combination of pan seared chicken, fresh tomato bruschetta, tangy goat cheese, and basil is simply mouth-watering. The pasta is cooked al dente and perfectly absorbs the flavors of the sauce, whose flavor is complemented by a generous drizzle of sweet aged balsamic vinegar. This dish is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters!
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7
Trenette al Pesto (From Disney-Pixar’s Luca!)
This creamy Trenette Al Pesto is the traditional Ligurian pasta dish featured in Disney-Pixar's Luca. Trenette pasta is cooked with tender potatoes and sliced green beans, then seasoned simply with Genovese basil pesto. It tastes like summer and is easy enough to make with kids!
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8
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This Tuscan Chicken Pasta is one of my all-time favorite pasta recipes! It's got a creamy sun dried tomato sauce that's bursting with flavor from lots of fresh basil. A splash of white wine adds acidity, while heavy cream gives the sauce a rich, smooth texture. Perfect any night of the week!
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9
Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Walnut Gremolata
This creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight meal that is ready in just 30 minutes. The sauce gets a punch of flavor from garlic, anchovies, and crushed red pepper flakes, but is balanced out by cool, creamy ricotta cheese. Top with our homemade walnut gremolata which adds both a crunchy texture and a burst of fresh herbs. A forever favorite!
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10
Couscous Salad with Grilled Veggies & Basil Vinaigrette
This Couscous Salad with Grilled Veggies is hands down the summer side dish recipe I've made most for friends and family when entertaining. It's foolproof, and I don't say that lightly! Toss fluffy, tender pearl couscous with an abundance of grilled vegetables and baby arugula, then toss with my basil salad dressing. Dairy-free and vegetarian.
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11
Summer Caprese Pasta Salad with Tomato Dressing
This Summer Caprese Pasta Salad with Tomato Dressing is the perfect way to enjoy fresh summer flavors in a light yet satisfying dish. Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil come together with a bright, garlicky tomato dressing that soaks into tender pasta for the ultimate bite. It’s quick to make, incredibly flavorful, and pairs beautifully with anything from grilled chicken to a simple glass of white wine!
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12
30-Minute Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
I have never met a Caesar salad I don't like, and this Kale Caesar Pasta Salad is no exception! Packed with nutrient-dense kale leaves, a homemade Caesar dressing, al dente pasta, and lots of black pepper and Parmesan cheese, this is my go-to side dish for potlucks and summer cookouts alike! Easily adaptable to be gluten-free and vegetarian.
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13
One Pot Creamy Orzo with Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This one pot creamy orzo with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes is the type of comforting dish I crave after a long day. Packed with tender chicken, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and a velvety, cheese-infused sauce, this meal is both indulgent and wholesome. The best part? It all comes together in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze. Perfect for busy weeknights!
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14
Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi with Corn and Tomatoes
These light and airy Ricotta Gnocchi are easier to make than potato-based gnocchi and have a tender, delicate texture. We love them with sautéed summer corn and tomatoes, but they're versatile enough for almost any sauce. Freezer-friendly!
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Craving something else? Check out more of our restaurant-worthy pasta recipes for all your dinner inspiration!
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