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    Home » Pasta

    18 Quick & Easy Pasta Dinners to Kick Off Summer

    Published: May 25, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    As spring arrives, it's the perfect time to enjoy light and fresh pasta dishes that celebrate the season's vibrant flavors. These 18 quick and easy pasta dinners are not only simple to prepare but also packed with seasonal ingredients that bring a burst of color and freshness to your table. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or a dish to impress guests, these recipes will make your spring dining delightful.

    Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta

    A plateful of 15-Minute Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Plant Based on a Budget.

    This cherry tomato basil pasta is a simple dish that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. With fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, it's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Cherry Tomato & Basil Pasta

    One-Pot Cherry Tomato & Basil Pasta
    Photo Credit: Chef Ani.

    This dish is quick to prepare and can be ready in just 15-20 minutes. Pair it with a green salad and some fresh bread for a complete meal.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta

    Salmon Crème Fraîche Pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon pasta with crème fraîche, lemon, and chives is quick to prepare and packed with flavor, perfect for any weeknight dinner. Using fresh or frozen salmon, it offers a light and refreshing dish that you can enjoy all year long.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

    One Pan Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes with spoon.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This one pan feta cheese pasta with cherry tomatoes is a flavorful dish that's super simple to make. With everything cooked in just one pot, it's perfect for busy nights and cleanup is quick and easy.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that combines juicy shrimp with perfectly cooked pasta in a rich garlic butter sauce. This is a great meal for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    A detailed shot of Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Borrowed Bites.

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a great choice for busy weeknights. This one-pot dish features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and garlic in a creamy sauce, topped with parmesan and fresh basil.

    Get the recipe

    20-Minute Tomato Sauce With Garlic & Basil

    Tomato sauce.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This super easy tomato sauce is all done in 20 minutes and requires very little prep. It uses common ingredients - starting with canned tomatoes - and has a depth of flavor better than any jar. With one secret ingredient that makes it truly exceptional... and perfect for serving over your favorite pasta!

    Get the recipe

    Chili Oil Noodles

    Chili oil noodles with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
    Photo Credit: Serene Trail.

    Chili Oil Noodles are packed with spicy, savory flavors and a hint of garlic. With just a few simple ingredients like garlic, green onions, and chili flakes, you can have a delicious meal ready in just 15 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Cashew Alfredo

    A skillet full of cashew alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    This vegan alfredo sauce is super simple to make with just 5 ingredients. It's creamy and tasty, and you can whip it up in 15 minutes without any real cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This pasta dish is incredibly easy to prepare. It's perfect for a quick and satisfying meal during the spring.

    Get the recipe

    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

    Pasta with peas and pancetta.
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    Pasta with pancetta and peas is the perfect easy dinner, made in less than 20 minutes! Thick-cut pancetta is cooked until perfectly crispy, mixed with green peas, and tossed with orecchiette pasta and grated parmesan cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This easy tahini pasta is a quick meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. With its creamy and nutty tahini sauce, this dish is packed with flavor and perfect for a spring dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to prepare and packed with the fresh flavors of smoked salmon and lemon. It's a meal you'll want to make again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta is packed with fresh veggies and can be ready in just 20 minutes, including prep time. It's a light and refreshing dish that's perfect for a spring dinner, allowing the flavors of the vegetables to really stand out.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Fit As a Mama Bear.

    This creamy chicken dish is sure to be a hit with your family. It's simple to prepare in the slow cooker, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Pesto Tortellini with Asparagus and Peas

    Pesto Tortellini with Asparagus and Peas
    Photo Credit: Mandi of the Mountains.

    Pesto tortellini with peas and asparagus is a simple and tasty dinner option. Packed with fresh spring vegetables and coated in a creamy pesto sauce, it all comes together in just one pot.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes with only 15 minutes of actual cooking time. It's loaded with veggies and flavor, and you can use either homemade or store-bought pesto, enjoying it just as much hot or cold.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This slow cooker minestrone soup is a filling vegetarian meal packed with pasta, beans, and zucchini. It's a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a quick and easy dish that packs a lot of flavor. It's great on its own, but adding some mozzarella or burrata cheese takes it to the next level.

    Get the recipe

    More Pasta

    • 32 Filling Ground Beef Pasta Recipes Built for Hungry Households
    • Tuscan chicken pasta.
      17 Simple Pasta Dishes Perfect for Spring
    • Chicken and noodles.
      18 Chicken Pastas That Disappear Fast
    • Curry pasta.
      16 Perfect Pasta Recipes for Busy Spring Days
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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