12 Spring Pasta Recipes Full of Fresh, Seasonal Flavor

pea pesto handkerchiefs pasta in bowl with spoon — Credit: Chris Simpson

Spring pastas are our go-to weeknight dinners as the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer. Many of these recipes pair fresh, seasonal produce (think asparagus, peas, spinach, arugula, and plenty of fresh herbs) for a burst of green we all need at this time of the year. Others rely on lighter proteins like salmon and chicken. There are no long-simmered sauces here; instead, these lighter and brighter plates of pasta lean on preparations that come together right in the pan. It sure can't get any easier.

01 of 12

Cheesy Asparagus Pasta

Who can resist an individual baked pasta? Make everyone their own gratin dish of baked penne (or your choice of short pasta) in a cheesy sauce with asparagus. It's ready in 35 minutes; we guarantee it will be devoured—and fast.

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02 of 12

Spaghetti With Spinach, Peas, and Herbed Ricotta

A 30-minute spring pasta dinner you’ll be making on repeat. This vegetarian meal has long strands of spaghetti tossed with spinach, peas, and sweet onion, topped off with a dollop of lemony basil ricotta.

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03 of 12

Greek Chicken One-Pan Pasta

A bowl of pasta with chicken and herbs served with a fork — Jake Sternquist

This comforting pasta is lemony and fresh tasting—and all made in one pot. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or leftover roast chicken if you have some.

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04 of 12

Pea Pesto Handkerchiefs

With its handkerchief-shaped pasta, this spring recipe looks like it came right out of a restaurant, but it's a quick and flavorful dish made using curly lasagna sheets torn into two-inch pieces. And that pesto! If it isn't clear yet, we could riff on pesto endlessly, but this sweet pea version is a definite highlight.

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05 of 12

Penne With Shrimp, Feta, and Spring Vegetables

An easy meal with minimal cleanup, this smart recipe pairs pasta with shrimp, feta, snow peas, and asparagus—and the entire dish is cooked in one pot. Fresh mint adds a subtle herbal note, but any leafy green herb would be just as tasty—try basil or parsley.

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06 of 12

Spicy Orecchiette With Broccoli

The arrival of spring brings a new crop of young, tender greens, and that includes broccoli. You'll find that this recipe is very versatile and easy, and the spiciness of the red pepper flakes brings out just the right amount of heat.

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07 of 12

Egg Noodles With Asparagus and Grated Egg Yolks

This sunny bowl of egg noodles screams spring thanks to the addition of crisp-tender asparagus and a pretty yellow grating of hard-boiled egg yolk. The decadent creamy sauce is made from mascarpone and pecorino romano cheeses with a touch of tart lemon.

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08 of 12

Salmon Noodle Casserole

When spring weather is still cool enough to justify one last casserole before you turn the oven off for the summer, try this dish. It's inspired by the classic tuna noodle casserole, but this salmon version adds in sweet spring peas and lightens up the cream sauce with lemon zest, fresh dill, and scallions.

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09 of 12

Gnocchi With Peas and Egg

This hearty one-pot pasta is just right for spring. The gnocchi brings heft, while frozen peas and arugula bring the much-needed green. A quick sauce is made by adding a little heavy cream and Parmesan; then, each portion is topped with a jammy-boiled egg for protein and color (and the yolk adds to the saucy situation).

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10 of 12

Linguine Arrabbiata

Plated pasta with arrabbiata sauce — Rachel Marek

Sometimes, the formula for dinner success includes leaning on a key pantry ingredient. Here, canned tomatoes are infused right into the dish to create a flavorful sauce, while crushed red chili flakes add a punch of spice and flavor to this humble meal with a twist.

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11 of 12

One-Pot Pasta With Broccoli Rabe and Bacon

Broccoli rabe bacon pasta — Jason Donnelly

Here's a robust take on spring pasta made with broccoli rabe, bacon, and toasted walnuts for crunchiness. A cozy, yet easy and filling dish you'll have on repeat for busy weeknight dinners.

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12 of 12

Fresh Angel-Hair Pasta With Bacon and Peas

This pasta is like a spring version of carbonara, with salty bacon, fresh peas, and chewy pasta rounding out this flavorful meal. Whip it up in 20 minutes on any weeknight, serve it with a side salad, and have a delicious dinner on the table in record time.

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Updated by

Victoria Spencer