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40 pastas to get you through the warmer months

Whip up these light pasta dishes that won't make you feel too heavy after but will leave you happy and satisfied.
pasta primavera with poached salmon

Big, tomato-based pasta dishes are often too hearty for our sweltering summer days but we aren’t about to give up pasta for three months!

So, we’ve gathered our best light pastas featuring simple olive oil and pesto sauces, as the perfect alternative. We have a delicious linguine with garlic prawns, linguine primavera with poached eggs and a range of tasty pesto pastas. There’s even a zucchini ‘spaghetti’ recipe for those who are gluten-free.

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01

Chilli prawn linguine

Chilli prawn linguine

This recipe makes enough sauce for 500g pasta, to serve as a great first course for 6. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the last of the sauce.

chilli tuna and lemon linguine

02

Chilli tuna and lemon linguine

Chilli tuna and lemon linguine

Add this chilli tuna and lemon linguine to your list of recipes for a quick, healthy mid-week dinner to help you stick to your resolutions.

orecchiette with broccoli, anchovies and chilli crumbs

03

Orecchiette with broccoli, anchovies and chilli crumbs

Orecchiette with broccoli, anchovies and chilli crumbs

Meaning ‘ear’ to reflect it’s shape, which resembles a little ear, orecchiette is a speciality of the Apulia region in Southern Italy.

Pea and pancetta pasta

04

Pea and pancetta pasta

Pea and pancetta pasta

In just over half an hour this fresh and simple pea and pancetta pasta can be on the dinner table. We can guarantee there’ll be no complaints, especially if it’s served alongside some hot and crusty garlic bread.

risoni & broad bean salad

05

Risoni and bean salad with lemon

Risoni and bean salad with lemon

This risoni and bean salad is robust enough for a light yet satisfying vegetarian lunch, or perfect as a side dish for grilled chicken or steak.

chicken, walnut and fetta pasta salad

06

Chicken, walnut and fetta pasta salad

Chicken, walnut and fetta pasta salad

one pot chilli, tomato and garlic prawn spaghetti

07

One-pot chilli, tomato and garlic prawn spaghetti

One-pot chilli, tomato and garlic prawn spaghetti

Pasta Fagioli (Pasta with beans)

08

Pasta fagioli (pasta with beans)

Pasta fagioli (pasta with beans)

smoked salmon spaghetti with pea pesto

09

Smoked salmon spaghetti with pea pesto

Smoked salmon spaghetti with pea pesto

Simple yet special, the ideal dish to serve up to friends when you’re celebrating in a relaxed style.

10

Fusilli salad

Fusilli salad

The salty feta balances out the sweetness of the dates, basil and cherry tomatoes.

Roasted baby capsicum & feta pappadelle
(Credit: Womans Day)

11

Roasted baby capsicum & feta pappadelle

Roasted baby capsicum & feta pappadelle

This delicious summer pasta is easy to make

broad bean orecchiette

12

Broad bean and ricotta orecchiette

Broad bean and ricotta orecchiette

Healthy and delicious – this nourishing broad bean and ricotta orecchiette is perfect for dinner with the family any night of the week!

baby vegetable linguine

13

Baby vegetable linguine

Baby vegetable linguine

This vibrant pasta dish is bursting with flavour and nutrition.

14

Spaghetti with garlic, oil and chilli

Spaghetti with garlic, oil and chilli

Camping food doesn’t need to be complicated or boring! This quick and simple pasta is easy to whip up at the campground.

tuna pasta

15

Tuna pasta

Tuna pasta

Pasta primavera

16

Pasta primavera

Pasta primavera

What better way to enjoy the delights of fresh spring vegetables than this pasta primavera with its tangy herb and mustard dressing. Store leftovers in a tupperware container for a delicious and healthy lunch the next day.

pasta primavera with poached salmon

17

Pasta primavera with poached salmon

Pasta primavera with poached salmon

PAPPARDELLE WITH SAFFRONTOMATO & PRAWNS

18

Pappardelle with saffron tomato and prawns

Pappardelle with saffron tomato and prawns

Looking for a deluxe date night meal to impress? This perfect prawn pasta is fragrant with saffron, fennel and orange rind for a gorgeous meal

19

Linguine with zucchini, ricotta & mint

Linguine with zucchini, ricotta & mint

20

Fresh pesto pasta

We’ve used penne in this fresh pesto pasta recipe, but spaghetti, fettuccine and gnocchi work just as well. Save a couple of small basil leaves to finish the dish when serving.

lemon tuna pasta

21

Lemon tuna pasta

This light, lemon tuna pasta is quick and easy to make.

22

Prawn and scallop tortellini

This light, delicate seafood tortellini is made using wonton wrappers.

23

Herbed ricotta ravioli with walnut pesto sauce

Herbed ricotta ravioli with walnut pesto sauce

Pasta doesn’t get much fresher than this.

24

Crab and zucchini spaghetti

Replace carb-heavy spaghetti with thinly-sliced zucchini for a fresh twist on a classic crab pasta that takes no time to prepare.

25

Chicken and sugar snap pea pasta

This nourishing chicken and sugar snap pea pasta is perfect for mid-week dinner ideas. Quick and easy, and packed with bags of mouth-watering flavour!

rocket, chilli& lemon spaghetti

26

Rocket, chilli & lemon spaghetti

Fresh and peppery, this simple rocket, chilli & lemon spaghetti is lifted above the ordinary by the use of lemon-infused oil.

linguine primavera & poached eggs

27

Linguine primavera & poached eggs

A light, summery pasta full of fresh vegetables and topped with a silky, soft-poached egg.

prawn and pesto linguine

28

Prawn and pesto linguine

Fresh, light and full of flavour, juicy king prawns and tender zucchini get a lift from the garlic, chilli and pesto sauce in this light, summery pasta dish.

29

Summer spaghetti with pea pesto and ham

Summer spaghetti with pea pesto and ham

A simple pesto of baby peas, herbs, Parmesan, and garlic tossed through tender spaghetti with salty leg ham makes for a light and satisfying summer pasta dish.

30

Linguine with garlic prawns

Linguine with garlic prawns

Recreate this restaurant favourite at home with beautiful garlic prawn linguine recipe, complete with marinated seafood tossed through beautifully light pasta.

31

Tagliatelle with zucchini and prosciutto

Tagliatelle with zucchini and prosciutto

This Italian dish is quick to whip up but with proscuitto, zucchini, shaved parmesan and tender pasta you’ll be savouring every mouthful.

32

Chilli and garlic spaghettini with breadcrumbs

Chilli and garlic spaghettini with breadcrumbs

For such an incredibly simple dish, this chilli and garlic spaghettini is just loaded with flavour, and crunch thanks to the toasted breadcrumbs. A great pick-me-up dish when you’re short on time.

33

Pasta with spinach, mushrooms and almonds

Pasta with spinach, mushrooms and almonds

This delectable vegetarian pasta is packed with mushrooms, pecorino and crunchy almonds. Delish! It’s also good for diabetics.

34

Spaghettini with rocket, pine nuts and sun-dried capsicum

Spaghettini with rocket, pine nuts and sun-dried capsicum

Whip this up in minutes when you’re craving pasta but don’t want a heavy bolognaise or creamy pasta.

35

Zucchini ‘spaghetti’ with tomato and fetta

Zucchini ‘spaghetti’ with tomato and fetta

Spaghetti-like strands are created from zucchini in this recipe instead of any actual pasta, which also makes this dish a great gluten-free option.

36

Chicken, chorizo and capsicum pasta

Chicken, chorizo and capsicum pasta

This tasty caserecci pasta will be ready to eat in just 30 minutes. Enjoy salty green olives and spicy chorizo with capsicum and chicken in this healthy Italian dish.

37

Kale, chilli and parmesan pasta

Kale, chilli and parmesan pasta

This kale, chilli and parmesan pasta is packed with bags of flavour and heat, and makes for a quick and nutritious dinner idea!

38

Chilli, lemon and garlic spaghetti

Chilli, lemon and garlic spaghetti

This light pasta dish can be ready in just half an hour, making it a great choice for midweek dinners.

39

Traffic light pasta salad

Traffic light pasta salad

The perfect light summer work lunch.

40

Chicken and sugar snap pea pasta

Chicken and sugar snap pea pasta

This nourishing chicken and sugar snap pea pasta is perfect for mid-week dinner ideas. Quick and easy, and packed with bags of mouth-watering flavour!

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