I’m Skipping New Recipes—These 21 Vintage Pastas Are All I Need This Summer

Lately, I’ve found myself skipping over the trendy new pasta recipes and going straight for the classics. These vintage pastas are all I need this summer—they’re comforting, full of flavor, and have that nostalgic charm that never goes out of style. There’s just something about a tried-and-true dish that makes dinner feel easy and special all at once. If you’re craving something simple, satisfying, and totally timeless, this is exactly where to start.

Pancetta Pasta

Tongs pulling up pasta. — Pancetta Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Enjoy diving into Fettuccine Carbonara with Pancetta, for a rich and creamy sauce that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Pancetta Pasta

Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad

A side dish of pesto pasta next to fresh parsley. — Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

My All-American Summer Menu 🇺🇸

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Delicious summer recipes just in time for the season

This easy parsley pesto pasta salad with walnuts is a great summertime salad and incredibly simple to make for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad

Creamiest Tomato Mascarpone Pasta

A bowl of bucatini pasta topped with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and fresh basil, with a fork resting on the side—perfect inspiration for your next pasta recipes. — Creamiest Tomato Mascarpone Pasta. Photo credit: Josie and Nina.

A skillet of tomato mascarpone pasta is the best weeknight meal and welcome cure to a long day. Rich mascarpone makes a creamy tomato sauce!
Get the Recipe: Creamiest Tomato Mascarpone Pasta

Stuffed Shells

A stuffed shell being removed from a baking dish — Stuffed Shell. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Stuffed Shells with Spinach, three cheeses, a fabulous tomato sauce, and with either Italian or chicken sausage make for an Italian meal that’s restaurant worthy.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells

Rich And Creamy Chicken Mushroom Spaghetti

A black plate holds a serving of pasta mixed with diced tomatoes, herbs, and melted cheese—an inviting choice for easy date night dinners. A vintage-style fork rests on the side atop a gray tray set on a white, hexagon-tiled surface. — Rich And Creamy Chicken Mushroom Spaghetti. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This delicious chicken mushroom pasta is a blend of tender, juicy chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a mouthwatering tomato-based mushroom sauce.
Get the Recipe: Rich And Creamy Chicken Mushroom Spaghetti

Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

A large bowl of shrimp orzo salad. — Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This cold lemon orzo salad recipe effortlessly marries shrimp, citrus, garlic, and fragrant basil for a quick and easy summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn

A skillet of creamy shrimp carbonara. — Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Follow these easy make-ahead steps for shrimp carbonara with grilled corn (it doesn’t have to be grilled) and bacon.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn

Heirloom Tomato Pasta

Indulge in the flavors of summer with our heirloom tomato pasta recipe, topped with crunchy pangrattato and fresh basil.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Pasta

Cheesy Chicken Mac

A close-up of chicken mac in a floral-patterned dish. The pasta is covered in a creamy sauce and mixed with cooked spinach and chunks of tender chicken. A serving spoon is scooping out a portion, capturing some of the gooey, cheesy topping. — Cheesy Chicken Mac. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This Cheesy Chicken Mac is less like mac and cheese and more like a casserole with its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and fresh spinach.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Mac

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Sun-Dried pasta with artichokes in a skillet. — Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Artichokes add just the right flavor along with some sun-dried tomatoes for an easy pasta dish you can make in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Creamy Italian Sausage And Pasta

Creamy pasta with Italian sausage on a platter — Creamy Italian Sausage And Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This quick and easy creamy Italian sausage pasta is a great weeknight pasta dinner that will be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Sure to be a family favorite with savory Italian sausage and rosemary.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage And Pasta

Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Ranch pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With all the classic flavors of creamy ranch dressing, salty bacon, and cheddar cheese, this ranch pasta salad is a refreshing crowd pleaser, the perfect summer potluck food.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Baked Chicken Gnocchi

An iron skillet with baked gnocchi — Baked Chicken Gnocchi. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Go beyond the traditional gnocchi with an easy and simple Baked Chicken Gnocchi for dinner this week. Rotisserie chicken and packaged or frozen gnocchi can transform into a yummy meal in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Gnocchi

Macaroni Salad With Cheese

A bowl of creamy macaroni salad with green peas, diced vegetables, and topped with shredded cheddar cheese—perfect for fans of delicious pasta salad recipes. — Macaroni Salad With Cheese Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Classic Macaroni Salad With Cheese For A Crowd is a refreshing comfort food, which is great for dinners, picnics or to take to pot lucks.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad With Cheese

Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing

A plate of creamy pasta salad with bowtie noodles, cherry tomatoes, peas, and cubes of ham, served on a blue-green plate with a light blue cloth underneath. — Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing. Photo credit: Southern Plate.

This creamy and cheesy ham pasta salad recipe is the perfect summer supper, with tender smoked ham, fresh veggies, and ranch dressing.
Get the Recipe: Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing

Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

A black platter of lemony chicken pasta on a grey napkin. — Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Lemon Chicken Pasta is an easy weeknight dish with tender chicken and a lemony cream sauce. A 30 minute meal you’ll love.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

Mouthwatering pesto pasta salad recipe with vibrant colors on a spoon. — Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Easy to make basil pesto pasta salad with bow tie pasta is a flavorful, colorful side that’s great for summer picnics or cookouts. It’s one of my favorite easy pasta salad recipes.
Get the Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

Baked Spaghetti With Creamy Vodka Sauce

A close-up of a cheesy baked spaghetti casserole with tomato sauce and ground meat, topped with melted cheese and herbs, makes for one of those easy date night dinners—served with a fork lifting a gooey, delicious portion. — Baked Spaghetti With Creamy Vodka Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Baked spaghetti with vodka sauce is a creamy pasta that makes an easy meal that you can prepare in twenty minutes for a hungry crowd.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spaghetti With Creamy Vodka Sauce

Angel Hair Pasta With Shrimp Recipe

This 25-minute Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp dish is served with a creamy sauce packed with delicious Tuscan flavors.
Get the Recipe: Angel Hair Pasta With Shrimp Recipe

Baked Penne With Vodka Sauce, Ricotta & Sausage

A spoon full of baked pasta. — Baked Penne With Vodka Sauce, Ricotta & Sausage. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This recipe for baked penne pasta combines homemade vodka sauce, withricotta cheese and crumbled Italian sausage. An easy pasta casserole!
Get the Recipe: Baked Penne With Vodka Sauce, Ricotta & Sausage

Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

A serving bowl of antipasto salad. — Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This irresistible antipasto pasta salad is EASY to make with a simple homemade dressing, an Italian inspired pasta that’s great for summertime.
Get the Recipe: Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

Explore Recipes

MSN Slideshows