Of course, pasta dishes are on our weeknight dinner tables ALL year round, but there's something special to be said about the pasta recipes we love to make come spring. After a long winter, they’re refreshingly light, full of fresh flavors and ingredients, and bring much needed color to our dinner tables (a shining example of that: pasta primavera, which literally means "spring pasta"). We’ve got all the classics here, featuring your favorite pasta shapes like spaghetti, gnocchi, orzo, and more, plus a few flavorful twists that are sure to get you out of any winter slump. Check out our best springy pasta recipes for ideas, then get that (salted!) water boiling—you’re gonna want to make these ASAP.
We can’t talk about spring recipes without mentioning the MVP of spring ingredients—asparagus. We wait all year for these stalks, so when they finally arrive, we’re putting them in everything, like our lemon asparagus chicken pasta, our creamy feta-lemon penne with asparagus, or our creamy asparagus bacon gnocchi. Like them as much as us? They’re so quick cooking, you can pretty much add them to any of the recipes here too.
Other contenders for the top spot include herbs like mint and basil; other veggies like green beans, mushrooms, and peas; and greens like arugula, artichokes, and spinach. We’ve featured those here in recipes like our minty meatballs with lemony orzo, our , our , our one-pan creamy spinach-artichoke gnocchi, and more. Feel free to take inspiration from them, then add whatever spring ingredients you like into these recipes too.
Looking to really shake up your meals this spring? Try adding unexpected ingredients to your pasta dishes, like we did in our one-pot creamy kimchi shells, our Sichuan pesto noodles, our strawberry balsamic pasta salad, or our Thai drunken carbonara noodles. They’re the perfect proof that though recipes like lasagna, chicken Alfredo, or our baked feta pasta will always be in our hearts, it’s the outliers that make our taste buds sing come spring.
Want even more spring meal ideas? Check out our fave spring salads, our best spring appetizers, and our top spring co*cktails too.
1
Dirty Martini Pasta
We haven’t been so excited about a TikTok recipe since the iconic baked feta pasta, and our rendition takes inspiration from a classic pasta al limone by using heavy cream as the base for the luscious and decadent sauce. And, just like a dirty martini, we supplement the dish with olives and brine (and booze, of course). The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes.
Get the Dirty Martini Pasta recipe.
2
Pasta Primavera
Few dishes mean “spring” like pasta primavera. Primavera in the name alone brings to mind fresh veggies, like zucchini, English peas, leeks, and peppers, all of the produce beginning to hit the farmers market. And spaghetti—thanks to the influence of the legendary NYC restaurant Le Cirque—is the perfect shape wrapping itself wildly around all of the sliced, diced, oblong figures, especially with a splash of cream. It’s a meal that satisfies both vegetarians and carb lovers alike.
Get the Pasta Primavera recipe.
3
Marry Me Pasta
Nothing says love like pasta. This creamy sauce will have you falling in love with yourself for making it. It’s unexpectedly easy to make, but would impress anybody. The sauce is based after our beloved Marry Me Chicken and possibly even better tossed in some pasta. We can almost guarantee if you make it, someone will fall for you, so be careful whom you choose to share this meal with!
Get the Marry Me Pasta recipe.
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4
Lemon, Ricotta & Asparagus Pasta Salad
While pasta salad can get creaminess from mayo, sour cream, or yogurt, we want to make a case for ricotta. Already beloved in hot pasta dishes like our lemon-ricotta pasta, ricotta is a natural for pasta salads too. Mixed with fresh lemon juice and zest, plenty of grated Parmesan, and pasta water, the ricotta melts into a creamy, bright sauce without any additional oil. The fresh dairy flavor feels a little unexpected and totally elegant all at once, making this salad a perfect side dish to your spring gatherings.
Get the .
5
One-Pot Shrimp Primavera
This loaded fettuccine makes it so easy for you (and your family!) to eat your vegetables. We love adding quick-cooking shrimp to the pot for protein once the pasta is almost al-dente, but otherwise, feel free to get creative with the added veggies.
Get the One-Pot Shrimp Primavera recipe.
6
Burrata, Pea, & Prosciutto Tortellini
After a quick cook with aromatics in olive oil, sliced sugar snap peas are tossed with toasted tortellini, herbs, and plenty of lemon zest, then topped with salty, tender prosciutto and a ball of creamy burrata. Despite all of the rich and decadent ingredients in this pasta, the sweet green peas take center stage and make this the ideal springtime pasta.
Get the .
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7
Baked Feta Pasta
Obviously roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes is going to be amazing. But is it good enough to break TikTok like this one did? Our answer, begrudgingly, is yes. It's genius—super-easy, but fancy enough for date night. 😍
Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.
8
Lemon Asparagus Chicken Pasta
This is the pinnacle of spring pasta dishes—it's fresh and bright, but still filling enough for a weeknight dinner. Don't forget those lemon slices!
Get the Lemon Asparagus Chicken Pasta recipe.
9
Creamy Feta-Lemon Penne With Asparagus
The secret to this springy pasta’s success? A tangy “cream” sauce made with rich Greek yogurt and salty feta that provides a bright contrast for the earthy, vegetal flavors of pan-fried asparagus.
Get the Creamy Feta-Lemon Penne With Asparagus recipe.
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10
One-Pot Chicken Alfredo
Oh, chicken Alfredo: It's the classic pasta we just can't seem to get enough of. Of course, there are tons of jarred pasta sauces you can buy, but making Alfredo sauce from scratch is actually so easy.
Get the One-Pot Chicken Alfredo recipe.
11
Ricotta Gnudi
Making gnudi, or Italian ricotta dumplings, only sounds fancy—They're actually an easy pasta dinner anyone can pull off. If you love gnocchi as much as we do, you'll likely love these too. The only real difference? Gnocchi is made with potato, and gnudi is made with ricotta, which makes them even more tender, light, and plump.
Get the Ricotta Gnudi recipe.
12
Pizza Orzo
Pizza comes in all shapes and sizes, with all different kinds of crusts—Chicago-style thin crust, chewy French bread, pillowy deep dish—but have you ever thought about opting for no crust? We aren’t talking low-carb, either. Instead, we’re swapping in one beloved carb for another: the classic crust for an unconventional option, orzo. Perfect for the times that you're craving two things and can’t decide which to prepare, this pizza orzo combines everything you love about pizza and pasta into a satisfying and comforting dinner.
Get the Pizza Orzo recipe.
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13
Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta
Rich and creamy with deep tomato flavor, this is the vegan pasta you make for lifelong dairy lovers. Vegan or not, this indulgent pasta is sure to have everyone going back to the pot for another serving this spring.
Get the Creamy Tomato Vegan Pasta recipe.
14
Lemon Ricotta Bucatini
Simply stir together ricotta, olive oil, Pecorino, and lemon and you've got yourself a restaurant-level bright creamy sauce. We kept things simple here, but feel free to add some springy vegetables (like asparagus!) to the mix too.
Get the Lemon Ricotta Bucatini recipe.
15
Creamy Asparagus Bacon Gnocchi
This speedy one-pan dinner is 100% pure comfort. With chewy gnocchi, crisp-tender asparagus, and a light cream sauce imbued with smoky bacon, it's also suspiciously delicious for a dish that takes well under an hour. 😉
Get the Creamy Asparagus Bacon Gnocchi recipe.
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16
3-Green Whole Wheat Pasta
Ricotta salata and chili oil have reinvented the way I dream about whole wheat pasta. With a bountiful variety of pasta at the market, whole wheat isn’t usually the first option you’d choose, though we think it's great for its chewy, nutty texture. Combined with buttery earthy chard, Tuscan kale, spinach, salty cheese, and a little spicy oil, it will quickly become a pantry staple.
Get the 3-Green Whole Wheat Pasta recipe.
17
Carrot Gnocchi
These are, by their soft, tender, and pillowy nature, very rustic—one might even call them ugly. But worry not: Once you sauté them in butter, herbs, and pistachios, they will look every bit as delicious as they smell. You can also use them as you would store-bought gnocchi, like in our .
Get the Carrot Gnocchi recipe.
18
Primavera Baked Orzo
It turns out that the creamy, subtly sweet flavor of fresh mozzarella plays very nicely with similarly delicate spring produce like shallots, sugar snap peas, and oyster mushrooms. Paired with al dente orzo and a light cream sauce, this hearty dinner is the perfect way to celebrate the return of longer days and warmer temperatures.
Get the Primavera Baked Orzo recipe.
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19
Chicken Pesto Pasta
When it comes to easy weeknight dinners, it’s hard to beat the combo of chicken and pasta. Add pesto, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a splash of white wine vinegar for brightness, and you’ve got the perfect simple dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes! This dish screams warm-weather, and is one of our go-to chicken pastas during the spring and summer.
Get the Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe.
20
Chicken & Artichoke Pasta Salad
In search of a quick and easy lunch or picnic side that doesn’t compromise on flavor? Welcome to the party! This bright, savory pasta salad will fill you up without weighing you down. Juicy marinated artichokes, briny Castelvetrano olives, and creamy cannellini beans dance with crisp arugula and crunchy pistachios in a zingy lemon vinaigrette to create the ultimate spring-y side.
Get the .
