Liguria · Genoa
Trofie al Pesto Genovese
Fresh basil pesto coats twisted trofie with potato and green beans in the Ligurian manner.
Summer Pasta Recipes
Cook South African summer pasta with salads, seafood, lemon, pesto, fresh tomatoes and lighter no-oven dinners.
South African summer asks for food that travels, cools well or spends little time over heat. These recipes bring pasta salads, seafood, lemon, herbs and tomatoes together without pretending every dish should be served cold.
26editorially reviewed recipes
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| Recipe | Total | Level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trofie al Pesto Genovese | 35 min | Moderate | Vegetarian · Family dinner |
| Chicken Pesto Pasta | 30 min | Easy | Under 30 minutes · Family dinner |
| Spaghetti alle Vongole | 40 min | Moderate | Date night · No oven |
| Garlic Butter Prawn Pasta | 25 min | Easy | Under 30 minutes · Date night |
| Seafood Tomato Pasta | 50 min | Moderate | Special occasion |
| Lemon Chicken Pasta | 30 min | Easy | Under 30 minutes · Family dinner |
| Tomato and Basil Pasta | 30 min | Easy | Budget · Vegetarian |
| Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad | 35 min | Easy | Make ahead · Summer |
Fast basil dinner
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Juicy chicken, fusilli and blistered baby marrows meet basil pesto in a fresh, quick sauce.
Campania · coastal classic
Spaghetti alle Vongole
Clams, garlic, parsley and white wine make a clean, briny sauce that belongs on hot spaghetti, not at the bottom of the bowl.
South African coastal dinner
Garlic Butter Prawn Pasta
Quick-cooked prawns, garlic, lemon and parsley coat linguine in a glossy butter sauce with no cream required.
South African shared table
Seafood Tomato Pasta
Mussels, prawns and calamari cook in stages through a reduced tomato and wine sauce made for a generous weekend bowl.
Bright family supper
Lemon Chicken Pasta
Golden chicken, lemon and Parmesan make a light glossy sauce that feels creamy without relying on a cup of cream.
Modern everyday tomato sauce
Tomato and Basil Pasta
Ripe tomato, garlic and basil make a clean weeknight sauce whose quality depends on reduction rather than a crowded spice rack.
Make-ahead summer lunch
Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad
Chicken, cucumber, tomato, herbs and fusilli meet a bright yoghurt-lemon dressing that stays light enough for hot days.
Braai-table favourite
South African Curried Pasta Salad
A tangy mild curry dressing, crisp peppers, peas and spring onion make this cold macaroni salad useful beside a braai, not sweet and soggy.
South African-inspired seafood
Peri-Peri Prawn Linguine
Prawns, lemon, garlic and restrained peri-peri coat linguine in a bright butter-and-tomato pan sauce.
20-minute vegetarian dinner
Lemon and Pea Pasta
Peas, lemon, mint and Parmesan form a fresh green sauce for shells, with some peas crushed and others left whole.
Green summer pasta
Pesto Vegetable Pasta
Baby marrow, green beans and cherry tomatoes join fusilli and basil pesto in a quick dinner that keeps every vegetable distinct.
Fresh South African braai side
Sweetcorn and Feta Braai Pasta Salad
Charred sweetcorn, feta, tomato, spring onion and lime dress farfalle for a colourful make-ahead braai side.
Silky seafood supper
Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta
Juicy prawns and fettuccine meet a restrained garlic cream sauce sharpened with lemon and parsley.
Fast, elegant ribbons
Smoked Salmon Lemon Pasta
Tagliatelle, smoked salmon, lemon and dill come together in a fresh creme fraiche sauce without cooking the fish to dryness.
Bright coastal-style pasta
Prawn and Tomato Linguine
Prawns, burst cherry tomatoes, garlic and lemon coat linguine in a light, vivid sauce ready in half an hour.
Chilled braai-table centrepiece
Seafood Pasta Salad
Fusilli, prawns, flaky white fish and crisp vegetables are bound by a light lemon-herb dressing made for sharing.
Twenty-minute green dinner
Lemon Spinach Pasta
Spaghetti, baby spinach, lemon and Parmesan become a fresh pantry meal through a quick pasta-water emulsion.
Fresh summer and braai side
Greek-Style Pasta Salad
Fusilli, cucumber, tomato, olives and feta meet a sharp oregano dressing that travels well when kept cool.
Green make-ahead side
Pesto Pasta Salad
Fusilli, green beans and tomatoes are coated in pesto loosened with lemon, not a heavy blanket of mayonnaise.
Substantial pantry braai side
Three-Bean Pasta Salad
Farfalle, three beans, peppers and herbs make a bright, filling salad with a mustard vinaigrette.
South African-inspired seafood pot
Prawn and Mussel Curry Pasta
Prawns and mussels meet mild curry spice, tomato and coconut milk in a generous linguine made without wine or cream.
Bright South African braai side
Peppadew and Feta Pasta Salad
Sweet piquanté peppers, feta, cucumber and parsley dress fusilli in a sharp lemon vinaigrette that travels better than a heavy mayonnaise salad.
Smoky braai-table favourite
Bacon and Sweetcorn Pasta Salad
Crisp bacon, charred sweetcorn and spring onion meet macaroni in a tangy yoghurt-mayo dressing that stays balanced and textured.
Colourful make-ahead braai side
Beetroot and Feta Pasta Salad
Roasted beetroot, feta, rocket and toasted seeds turn farfalle into an earthy, sharp pasta salad with no mayonnaise.
Fast pantry fish supper
Sardine and Lemon Spaghetti
Tinned sardines, lemon, garlic and crisp breadcrumbs make a bright 20-minute spaghetti with no tomato or cream.
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