With the right combination of fresh ingredients, vibrant vegetables, and light sauces, you can transform a pasta dish into the perfect light healthy summer pasta idea.

Pasta is no longer only considered comfort food (although for many, including myself, it is). In most cases, people associate the cold winter nights with a nice warm bowl of pasta.

Whether you are looking for a high-protein option, a carb-conscious meal, or something packed with veggies, you’ll find great options with these 23 summer pasta recipes. 

1. Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

Packed with Mediterranean flavors, this Italian pasta salad is a colorful and satisfying summer meal. Each serving has 456 calories and offers 22 grams of protein.

I love throwing this together when I’m craving pasta and salad. It’s packed with fresh herbs and has the refreshing zest from the lemon, so it truly screams ‘summer is here’!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 456
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 49g
• Fiber: 3.6g
• Sugar: 4.5g

2. Prawn Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Juicy prawns paired with the tang of sun-dried tomatoes make this orzo pasta an indulgent and delicious seafood option. Its high protein content (36 grams per serving) makes it a filling yet light summertime dinner.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 676
• Fats: 35g
• Protein: 36g
• Carbs: 56g
• Fiber: 4.4g
• Sugar: 6.9g

3. Chicken Zucchini Pasta

When you think about pasta, you immediately think about Italian flavors. But what if I told you that pasta works just as well with delicious Asian-style flavors?

This chicken zucchini pasta swaps traditional noodles for zucchini noodles, all mixed with delicious Asian flavors like soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.

Not sure what to serve meal? Check out these delicious sides for pasta.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 327
• Fats: 16g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 29g
• Fiber: 3.6g
• Sugar: 20g

4. Cottage Cheese Pasta

This pasta dish is a great option for anyone who loves creamy pasta but wants to control their calories and fat intake. Cottage cheese creates a creamy and luscious sauce, boosting the protein intake to 23 grams per serving with a fraction of the fat (12 grams).

Now, combine that delicious cottage cheese sauce with rigatoni and a hint of marinara, and you’ll have a silky, savory, and oh-so-satisfying pasta bowl.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 368
• Fats: 12g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 42g
• Fiber: 4.2g
• Sugar: 8.8g

5. Cajun Chicken Pasta

Love spicy food? Turn up the heat with this flavorful Cajun-inspired pasta that balances creamy goodness with spiced perfection. With its velvety sauce and tender chicken, this recipe delivers bold and zesty flavors.

While it delivers 745 calories per serving, it offers a whopping 35 grams of protein, making this a very high-protein meal.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 745
• Fats: 49g
• Protein: 34g
• Carbs: 42g
• Fiber: 2.8g
• Sugar: 2.8g

6. Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo

Creamy, tangy, and protein-packed, this orzo dish is a summer dream. With sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and hearty chunks of chicken, this Italian-inspired dish delivers 40 grams of protein per serving.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 618
• Fats: 27g
• Protein: 40g
• Carbs: 54g
• Fiber: 4.6g
• Sugar: 9.4g

7. Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Love chicken parmesan? This deconstructed casserole version is a great meal prep recipe. Make a batch for the week or place it in the freezer to have throughout the month.

Just imagine layers of rigatoni, marinara, tender chicken, and gooey mozzarella waiting for you at the comfort of your home.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 503
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 37g
• Carbs: 61g
• Fiber: 4.6g
• Sugar: 7.7g

8. Pizza Pasta Casserole

Pasta and pizza? Count me in!

This light dinner recipe turns everyone’s comfort food into an easy pasta casserole. It’s loaded with cheesy goodness and packed with all the pizza flavors.

It’s great for a summer gathering or potluck dinner.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 526
• Fats: 24g
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 50g
• Fiber: 5.3g
• Sugar: 11g

9. Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli

Source: healthyseasonalrecipes.com

Want a lighter version of chicken alfredo? This pasta option combines crisp broccoli with tender chicken and creamy Alfredo sauce.

This guilt-free version of the Italian dish offers 20 grams of protein and only 300 calories per serving. It’s perfect for a summer dinner.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 300
• Fats: 9g
• Protein: 29g
• Carbs: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 3g

10. Asparagus Pasta with Fresh Basil

Source: thehealthfulideas.com

This light and fresh asparagus healthy summer recipe is combined with fragrant basil for a simple yet flavorful dish. And the best part? It only has 167 calories per serving!

It’s great when you need a quick and healthy meal.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 167
• Fats: 9g
• Protein: 6.4g
• Carbs: 18.7g
• Fiber: 2.7g
• Sugar: 1.8g

11. Crispy Lemon Chicken Pasta

Source: dishingouthealth.com

This rich and satisfying pasta pairs crispy chicken with the zesty flavors of lemon, making it a refreshing favorite summer dinner.

For this recipe, you don’t need complex ingredients. You’ll need chicken, pasta, lemon, Parmesan, spices, heavy cream, and broth.

Try it out to see how easy it is to make!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 612
• Fats: 27g
• Protein: 31g
• Carbs: 58g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g

12. Broccoli Pasta

Source: pinchandswirl.com

Broccoli pasta is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines tender pasta with vibrant broccoli to create a wholesome meal. With a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this recipe in no time.

It’s great when you have a dinner party and you need something quick, or when you are looking to impress your family.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 508
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 20g
• Carbs: 62g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 4g

13. Cherry Tomato Pasta with Basil and Chicken

Source: joyousapron.com

This delicious dish features cherry tomatoes, basil, and tender chicken mixed with pasta for a burst of fresh summer flavors. It’s packed with protein (42 grams per serving) and only 612 calories per serving.

You can add a delicious green salad or some garlic breadsticks to make a complete meal.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 612
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 41g
• Carbs: 63g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 5g

14. Basil Lemon Pasta

Source: julieblanner.com

Need a refreshing pasta dish?

This basil lemon pasta is light and refreshing. Its simple yet delicious ingredients create the ultimate citrusy recipe.

And, since this pasta dish is served cold, you can do it ahead of time and have it all ready when you need it.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 207
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 5g
• Carbs: 29g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g

15. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Source: pinchandswirl.com

This vibrant and flavor-packed dish combines juicy shrimp with a zesty garlic sauce over pasta. The spicy red flakes mixed with shrimp, butter, lemon, Parmesan, and garlic create the best flavor profile you’ve ever tried.

And, it offers 40 grams of protein per serving, making it a very high-protein pasta dish.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 643
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 40g
• Carbs: 68g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 3g

16. Pasta with Peas and Parmesan

Source: juliascuisine.com

With its creamy texture and sweet peas, this pasta dish is simple to make yet incredibly flavorful. At only 575 calories per serving, in this recipe you’ll get hints of Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 575
• Fats: 34g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 51g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g

17. Summer Spaghetti with Garlic and Lemon

Source: amummytoo.co.uk

This vibrant olive oil-based pasta packs a refreshing punch of garlic and lemon, ideal for warm days. Here, you’ll get a combination of both delicious ingredients and wholesome ingredients.

And, it’s a great option if you are finding it challenging for your family to eat all their veggies. Since all the ingredients are incorporated into the pasta dish, the flavors blend harmoniously with the vegetables. 

Per Serving:

• Calories: 493
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 67g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 6g

18. Garden Veggie Pasta

Source: veggieinspired.com

Loaded with chunky veggies and marinara, this garden pasta ensures a nutritious and delicious meal. It only has 313 calories per serving, and it offers 11 grams of protein.

Now, if you want a higher protein option, try adding some plant-based protein on the side if you want to keep that plant-based momentum going.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 313
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 11g
• Carbs: 61g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugar: 9g

19. Creamy Summer Squash Pasta

Source: cravingcalifornia.com

This indulgent pasta blends the creamy texture of summer squash into a one-of-a-kind sauce. This powerful combination of flavors creates an incredible meal that is going to make your friends and family come back for more.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 744
• Fats: 37g
• Protein: 25g
• Carbs: 80g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 9g

20. Tomato and Corn Pasta

Source: iheartvegetables.com

A vibrant mix of summer tomatoes and sweet corn creates a refreshing, hearty pasta dish. With only 417 calories per serving, it’s a great seasonal dish you need to try!

And, if you are feeling adventurous, you can always add other ingredients to boost it’s flavor like adding some sautéed mushrooms.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 417
• Fats: 14g
• Protein: 17.4g
• Carbs: 63g
• Fiber: 7.8g
• Sugar: 9g

21. Creamy Balsamic Summer Pasta

Source: veggieinspired.com

This light and tangy pasta dish combines the fresh flavors of summer produce with a creamy balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a perfect side or main dish that’s both hearty and satisfying.

The best thing? This meal is gluten-free, dairy-free, and doesn’t have any refined sugars.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 245
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 8g
• Carbs: 48g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g

22. Creamy Pasta Salad with Summer Sausage

Source: blackberrybabe.com

This hearty pasta salad incorporates creamy dressing and flavorful summer sausage for a satisfying and rich dish. With its bold and filling ingredients, it’s ideal for picnics and family meals.

Each serving provides 311 calories, making it a well-rounded and balanced meal you can offer your family.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 311
• Fats: 20g
• Protein: 10g
• Carbs: 23g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g

23. Summer Tomato Pasta

Source: mykitchenlove.com

Brusting with fresh tomatoes and paired with perfectly cooked pasta, this dish is a true celebration of summer flavors. The simplicity of its ingredients allows the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes to shine.

And, it only has 622 calories per serving and 23 grams of protein.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 622
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 93g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 7g