As I'm sure we can all agree, pasta is truly an 'all year round' kind of dish. Frankly, we can't even imagine going more than a week without eating some variation of arguably the best carbohydrates known to man. But as the seasons change, so does the produce and so do our tastebuds. While the base – our beloved pasta – remains, it's never a bad thing to switch up the ingredients that surround it. Thankfully, there's more than a few great summer pasta recipes, and I'm here to share them with you.

There's no need to fear, I'm not moving into pasta salad territory (I would never, by the way). I am simply sharing the recipes that have the magical ability to instantly transport me to an Italian coastline – something we can all get amongst, surely. From seafood masterpieces to creamy, rich burrata, here are 10 of the best pasta recipes you'll want to make all summer long.

 

1. Spinach, lemon and garlic penne rigate with torn burrata

 

There's nothing like the creamy, rich flavour of the burrata smothering this dish. The heavy hand of lemon helps to cut through and coats the spinach with a refreshing zing. One of my all-time favourite summer pasta recipes in my roster.

 

2. Seafood Pasta with tomatoes, chiles, and mint

 

Sand, surf, seafood and pasta. The ultimate marriage. The best part about this dish is that you can load it with whichever variety of seafood you wish. The recipe predominately uses shellfish, but you can also add in your favourite fish too. If you're entertaining a large group this summer, this recipe always goes down a treat.

 

3. Summer squash and basil pasta

 

There's something about zucchini in pasta that automatically reminds me of summer. Light, fresh, but still packed with flavour, this recipe is perfect for those warm nights when cooking requires far too much effort.

 

4. Tomato and broad bean orecchiette

 

Our obsession with beans is never ending. Not only is this dish filling and wholesome, it's also incredibly easy and great if you're looking for a delicious vegetarian pasta dish.

 

5. Farmers’ Market pasta with walnut pesto

 

The best kind of pasta is the type that requires minimal though, which is why this dish is an absolute must on the list of summer pasta recipes. There's nothing more enjoyable than tossing together your favourite roasted vegetables, topped with a homemade walnut pesto that you will want to spread on just about everything.

 

6. Linguine pasta alle vongole

 

A classic favourite, you can never go wrong serving up linguine alle vongole. While we might not all be serving up this dish while peering out to the Italian coastline, it can definitely take us fairly close.

7. Sheet pan gnocchi with roasted vegetables

 

Though a little unconventional, (especially when it comes to using the oven in the heat of summer), we just can't overlook the ease of this one sheet pan gnocchi. The flavours are oh-so-good and the caramelisation of the veggies heavenly.

8. Linguine with green olive sauce and zesty breadcrumbs

Eat your greens truly takes on a new meaning with this summer dish, and I am all about it. The saltiness of the olives and the capers really pack a punch, topped with the crunchy goodness of the panko crumb.

9. Miso-eggplant spaghetti

 

A great and easy dish if you want to mix things up a little bit, this miso-eggplant spaghetti recipe is packed with umami and can be eaten on repeat. Just trust me.

10. Fettuccine with crab, crème fraîche, lemon, and tarragon

Just because it's summer, doesn't mean you have to miss out on the creamy goodness of traditionally richer pasta dishes. The lemon and tarragon bring a freshness to the dish, and the softness of the crab laced in-between the fettuccine is all time.

 

11. Malfatti with Pancetta and Cherry Tomatoes

 

 

Get your rolling pin out! Malfatti—literally “badly made” are made easy with this recipe. This is similar to gnocchi although a slightly sturdier iteration. It's fresh pasta with robust dough and delicious tomato-based sauce. With gnocchi this easy, you won't want to go back to the store.

 

12. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio With Lots of Kale

 

 

This has to be one of the easiest and healthiest pasta options of all time. Although there is a lot of kale going into it, the kale does shrink as it's cooked. So if you're into a fresh, green pasta option, give this Spaghetti Aglio e Olio a whirl!

 

13. Zucchini Pasta Salad

 

 

This Alison Roman inspired pasta salad is the 'grown up' version of that pasta salad you're probably picturing in your head from childhood. She's fancy, with sauteed walnuts, hand cut pieces of parmesan and orecchiette. With a dish like this, you could just be looking at your contribution to the next summer dinner party.

14. Garlicky Feta Eggplant Pasta

 

This pasta feels succulent and fresh, the perfect last-minute pasta dish. It doesn't ask for much. Just some garlicky eggplant, cheesy panko topping and a copious amount of fresh basil. It's also got that zesty thing going for it with the crumbed fetta and lemon juice tang!

 

15. Lemon Ricotta Pasta With Arugula

 

 

This is a delicious ricotta based pasta dish that calls for good quality ingredients to heighten the flavour. The dish works best with slightly larger pasta shapes that can capture the creamy ricotta. You can really use any shape to make this dish though. This pasta follows a quick and easy recipe that will satiate all of your ricotta and lemon based cravings.

If you're searching for more recipe inspiration, look to our round up of the best vegetarian recipes.