29 Spring Pasta Recipes That Are Bursting With Fresh Flavor
Showcase seasonal produce like peas and asparagus!
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Much like the spring season itself, pasta is a blank slate with endless possibilities for your plate. The versatile carb can adapt to any occasion through the veggies, protein, and even pasta shape you choose to use! Just think about the shift from your winter to spring cravings, with lighter, brighter pasta dishes and pasta salad recipes replacing cozy pasta bakes. It's the perfect time to play with spring vegetables, whether you add them straight to your pan with a splash of lemon, or blend them into an herby pesto.
The best part? These spring pasta recipes are so simple to prepare! Many can be made ahead, like the bow tie pasta salad, while others are easy 30-minute meals, like Ree Drummond's gnocchi primavera. Speaking of primavera: Did you know it translates to "springtime" in Italian? No surprise, then, that it's loaded with fresh veggies like spring peas, asparagus, and carrots.
Looking for more quick-fix dinner ideas? Try Ree's Cajun chicken pasta, pistachio pesto pasta, or the spinach lasagna that can feed a crowd. And since warmer weather also marks the return of outdoor entertaining with picnics and backyard barbecues, there's no better dish to serve than a big bowl of pasta salad. Put together spring pea pesto pasta salad or tortellini pasta salad for a cold, refreshing side dish for any spring gathering. They're sure to add a burst of color and flavor to your next spring dinner.
Chicken Tetrazzini
Add this comforting casserole to your spring dinner rotation! It’s creamy, cheesy, and chock full of green peas, mushrooms, and parsley for added freshness.
Get Ree's Chicken Tetrazzini recipe.
Pasta with Shrimp and Pistachio Pesto
Pesto is one of Ree's go-to ingredients—and it's surprisingly simple to make at home! Plus, it's a great way to put that fresh basil and baby spinach from your garden to good use.
Get Ree's Pasta with Shrimp and Pistachio Pesto recipe.
Linguine with Clam Sauce
If you think you don't like clams, this recipe (which was the first Ree ever made for Ladd) will change your mind! Combined with fresh lemon juice, fragrant garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan, this linguini dish is bright and delightfully decadent. Throw in a few fresh veggies to give it a spring-y feel!
Get Ree's Linguine with Clam Sauce recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Ham and cheese lovers will get a kick out of this make-ahead pasta recipe! Between the "butterfly" pasta, fresh green onions, and peas, it practically screams spring.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad
Attention pesto fans! This pasta salad features a homemade pesto blended with green peas for an extra burst of spring flavor. It’s perfectly complemented by peppery arugula, crispy prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and a sprinkle of lemon-parmesan breadcrumbs.
Get Ree's Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.
Lemon Pasta
Brighten up your night in under 30 minutes with this simple lemon pasta dish. It’s a taste of spring break in Italy, no passport needed.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
Pasta with Peas
This creamy, cheesy pasta is both comforting and fresh at the same time. The pops of bright green peas along with basil or mint pair so well with the smokiness from the pancetta.
Get the Pasta with Peas recipe.
Gnocchi Primavera
Here's a fun twist on a springtime primavera—the pasta of choice is a pillowy, fluffy gnocchi that you can find in the refrigerator section of most grocery stores. Paired with green veggies and lots of parmesan cheese, it's one dish you'll never forget.
Get Ree's Gnocchi Primavera recipe.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Take your pasta salad to the next level by loading it up with deli meats, fresh veggies, and cheese-filled tortellini. The whole thing comes together with a sun-dried tomato vinaigrette.
Get the Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe.
Pasta Primavera
Ree suggests using "your own personal favorite blend veggies" for this springtime dish. Broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, and peas are all great options, but the options really are endless.
Get Ree's Pasta Primavera recipe.
Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Shells
These cheese, spinach, and mushroom stuffed shells are smothered in a creamy white wine and lemon sauce. They're perfect for serving alongside a fresh spring salad.
Get Ree's Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Shells recipe.
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ready in under 30 minutes, Ree's Cajun chicken pasta is a family dinner you'll make over and over again. It has a spicy kick!
Get Ree's Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe.
Asparagus Pasta
Elegant enough for company but easy enough for a quick weeknight meal, this 30-minute dinner has smoky bacon, tender asparagus, and a lemony, cheesy sauce.
Get the Asparagus Pasta recipe.
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Dinners don't get any more luxurious than this jazzed up mac and cheese. Tender lobster, a dreamy cheese sauce, and a sprinkle of seasoned breadcrumbs on top makes this a special occasion meal.
Get the Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe.
Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Spinach artichoke dip fans, this pasta recipe will become your newest obsession. It has everything you love about the dip, all tossed with penne pasta.
Get Ree's Spinach Artichoke Pasta recipe.
Baked Ravioli
Like lasagna but way easier, this pasta bake can even be assembled a day ahead and baked just before dinnertime. That means you can get dinner on the table in record time!
Get the Baked Ravioli recipe.
Caprese Chicken Pasta
Bursting with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil, this pasta recipe is something fresh to bring to the dinner table.
Get Ree's Caprese Chicken Pasta recipe.
Greek Pasta Salad
This recipe has all the components of a classic Greek salad, plus the hearty addition of pasta! You can use any type of noodle you have on hand—penne, fusilli, shells, macaroni.
Get the Greek Pasta Salad recipe.
Chicken Primavera
This is one of those one-pot meals that you can make again and again. It's hearty thanks to the chicken and noodles, but it also delivers a good dose of spring veggies.
Get the Chicken Primavera recipe.
Fettuccine Alfredo
This classic Italian dinner only requires four ingredients (plus, salt and pepper) so it's a no brainer when it comes to quick and easy weeknight meals.
Get the Fettuccine Alfredo recipe.
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