Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors and take in all the natural vibrancy blossoming all around you. It is also the perfect time of year to enjoy light, delicious foods that nourish you without feeling weighed down.

When you think of pasta, light and refreshing may not be the first two words you would use to describe it. While pasta always tastes delish, it is often heavy and filling – but it doesn’t have to be. Prove it to yourself by whipping up some of these spring pasta recipes. 

Fire up that cooktop – or take advantage of your outdoor kitchen suite – and get cooking! 

1. Creamy Lemon Pasta

Imagine eating outdoors underneath the sun while indulging in a creamy lemon pasta that is tart yet refreshing for your palate. When mixed with the right ingredients, you will find that lemon is the perfect addition to this springtime dish. 

Creamy lemon pasta is simple and quick to throw together. When you are busy during these warmer months, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. With this dish, you don’t have to. 

A rich sauce made of cream, lemon zest, and butter coats the pasta at all angles. Add a little parmesan and toss with some mint, basil, and chives for flavor and color. 

2. Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Various forms of green goddess dressing have made their way around the internet. It is filled with all kinds of goodness and flavors and is often poured over salads for a refreshing bite. We will mix our version of this infamous dressing here with pasta for a delicious lunch or dinner this spring. 

The dressing can be any combination of greens, including basil, chives, green onions, spinach, parsley, and cilantro. Blend it up with nutritional yeast, tahini, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, honey, and salt and pepper. Toss it with your pasta and top it with veggies like cucumbers, avocado, peas, and artichokes.  

Use short pasta that will grab onto more of the dressing, allowing you to taste it with every bite. Cook it al dente and dress it while it is still warm. Save a little of the dressing and add it when it cools. 

This recipe is incredibly nourishing. 

3. One Pot Summertime Pasta

Don’t let the name of this dish fool you. A one-pot summertime pasta is fantastic for spring, too. When you don’t have much time, but you want something that will be easy to throw together and clean up without sacrificing flavor. Besides, who wants to spend a beautiful spring night washing dishes? Not you!

For this one-pot dish, you will throw the pasta and all the additions (cherry tomatoes, red onion, garlic cloves, sun-dried tomatoes, and jalapeno)  in together and bring to a boil – then simmer. All the water will evaporate, and you will be left with a scrumptious dish. Top with olive oil, corn, and cheese – and dinner is served. 

4. Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti

Sit back with friends and family and enjoy the incredible flavors of this dish. Savor it. Taste it. Adding all types of fresh veggies and flavors makes it a great dish for lunch, dinner, or both!

Whole grain spaghetti, chopped garlic, medium shrimp, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, green onions, grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, and fresh basil combine to create a magnificent meal. 

Garlic shrimp spaghetti is light and refreshing – perfect for spring. 

5. Lemony Pasta Carbonara with Peas and Zucchini

When making a new dish? Add greens, of course. Adding peas and zucchini to your lemony pasta carbonara makes it pop – in looks and flavor. Using some zucchini noodles, ensure a veggie bite comes with every fork full. 

This creamy, zesty pasta dish is tossed together and served with delight. It is a crowd pleaser – and a great addition to any springtime table. 

6. Pesto Pasta Primavera 

Pesto pasta primavera is another one-pot-pasta dish that makes it excellent for a springtime dish. You can switch it up to match your mood or to accommodate the latest sale at the farmers market. Using bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, kale, green onions, asparagus, sugar snap peas, frozen peas, and fresh basil all work well. Again, pick and choose what you would like in yours. 

The key is to make your veggies maintain some of their crunchiness. Remember, you are going for a fresh springtime dish so having your primavera give the impression that the vegetables were just picked fresh from the garden is the way to go. 

Mix your pasta with sauteed garlic and pesto, add some goat cheese, drizzle with olive oil, and you are good to go. Delish!

7. Miso Tomato Pasta

Last but not least, this tomato pasta uses an unlikely source of added flavor – miso. It is an easy dish to make that doesn’t take much time at all. It comes together for a final dish that is tasty and filling, too. 

Roasted garlic, pasta, butter or olive oil, and baby tomatoes create the much-loved dish commonly found throughout Italy. Except, with the addition of miso, you transform the dish into something surprisingly different. 

With the earthy, salty flavor of the miso, you are giving the impression that there is more to the pasta. And all it takes is a small amount. 

Miso tomato pasta is a great selection to end a lovely spring day. 

Be Kind to Your Body this Spring

All your friends and family will surely enjoy these spring pasta recipes. The best part is that they are easily made into bigger batches for everyone to enjoy. They are light but will still keep you fool – helping you to enjoy your spring days the most. After all, you feel good when you make good foods from good (and fresh) ingredients. 

So, this spring, eat well and feel rejuvenated from the inside out.