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Light and laid-back pasta recipes for summer

by Francesca Sleet

published on 21 April 2023

Summertime may have us reaching for lighter fare, but that doesn’t mean we should give up on the carb-heavy goodness of pasta just yet. Sure, it’s easy to think of pasta as a winter dish – a steaming bowl of noodles providing warmth and comfort on a chilly night. But trust us when we say that a fresh pasta dish topped with a vibrant, herbaceous pesto or brimming with succulent seafood can be just the ticket for a lazy summer evening meal. From Jamie Oliver‘s fresh broccoli pasta paired with a crisp chopped salad to Meliz Berg’s tangy tomato pasta with halloumi, we’ve rounded up all our favourite pasta recipes that are perfect for the sunny season.

Meliz Berg’s One-pot Halloumi and Tomato Pasta

by Meliz Berg

Sweet caramelised onions, cinnamon and grated halloumi add classic Cypriot flavours to this simple tomato-based pasta sauce.

Jamie Oliver’s Corteccia Pasta with Hot Smashed Broccoli, Pecorino, Garlic & Anchovy Pesto

Jamie Oliver’s Corteccia Pasta with Hot Smashed Broccoli, Pecorino, Garlic & Anchovy Pesto

A quick and spicy broccoli and anchovy pesto tops easy home-made corteccia pasta in this simple pasta dish from Jamie Oliver.

Pasta with Tomato, Aubergines and Ricotta Salata. Pasta alla Norma e Ricotta Salata

Pasta with Tomato, Aubergines and Ricotta Salata. Pasta alla Norma e Ricotta Salata

by Cettina Vicenzino

An authentic recipe for the classic Sicilian dish, Cettina Vicenzino’s pasta alla norma is simple, but packed with flavours of aubergine, tomato, basil and ricotta salata.

Sausage Cavatelli with Sweet and Spicy Thyme-Spiked Chilli Peppers

Sausage Cavatelli with Sweet and Spicy Thyme-Spiked Chilli Peppers

Make your own pasta in minutes or use store-bought to save time and serve with this simple spicy sausage tomato sauce from Jamie Oliver.

Melissa Hemsley’s ‘Salsa Verde Style’ 12-Minute Courgette, Wild Garlic and Rocket Pasta

Melissa Hemsley’s ‘Salsa Verde Style’ 12-Minute Courgette, Wild Garlic and Rocket Pasta

Packed with courgettes, wild garlic, salty capers and plenty of fresh herbs, this quick and easy pasta is perfect for a quick summer meal.

Midsummer Pasta

Midsummer Pasta

Featuring pan-fried vegetables, a simple tomato base, just-melted mozzarella and Parmesan, and plenty of fresh basil, this easy pasta dish is a failsafe option for big summer dinner parties.

Jamie Oliver’s Sausage Linguine

Jamie Oliver’s Sausage Linguine

Using just a handful of fresh ingredients and taking just fifteen minutes to cook, this easy sausage and broccoli pasta is perfect for warm summer days.

Orzo Pasta, Spicy Tomato Sauce & Feta

Orzo Pasta, Spicy Tomato Sauce and Feta

by Clare Lattin and Tom Hill

Bursting with Mediterranean flavours, this simple tomato orzo pasta is topped with creamy feta and fresh oregano.

Broccoli Pasta, Chopped Garden Salad

Broccoli Pasta, Chopped Garden Salad

Orecchiette is topped with a vibrant basil, lemon and anchovy sauce, and plenty of broccoli in this fresh summer pasta dish.

Wonderful One-pot Summer Spaghetti

Wonderful One-pot Summer Spaghetti

by Abel & Cole

Spaghetti is tossed with cherry tomatoes, seasonal broad beans and plenty of lemon zest in this simple summery one-pot pasta from Abel and Cole.

Trofie Pasta with Pistachio & Mint Pesto

Ainsley Harriott’s Trofie Pasta with Pistachio and Mint Pesto

Satisfying and simple, Ainsley Harriot tops pasta with a nutty and fresh pistachio and mint pesto for an easy dinner. Simple and quick to make, the pesto keeps well in the fridge for adding pops of flavour to dishes throughout the week.

Prawn Lemon Capelli Pasta Recipe

Fresh Capelli d’Angelo with Prawns and Lemon

There’s nothing quite like fresh prawns and plenty of lemon to bring a sense of summer to a dish, and this super simple pasta from Rachel Roddy takes just 5 minutes to cook, letting you get back to enjoying the sunshine in no time at all.

Linguine with Courgettes and Parmesan

Linguine with Courgettes, Egg and Parmesan

A bright summery take on a classic carbonara, this courgette-packed linguine dish is light and easy. A crowd-pleasing pasta for the whole family.

Spaghetti with Mussels and Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti with Mussels and Tomato Sauce

by Angela Hartnett

Best enjoyed with a cold glass of white wine on a warm summer’s evening, a simple tomato basil sauce is a perfect complement to the fresh mussels in this easy Italian-inspired dish.

Crab & Lemon Linguine with Pangrattato

Crab and Lemon Linguine with Pangrattato

The delicate flavours of crab are paired with plenty of fresh lemon and chilli in this summery pasta from Ainsley Harriott. Top with crispy, herbed breadcrumbs for added texture.

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