Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Read More
    • 6 Garden Ideas That Will Boost the Value of Your Home

      6 Garden Ideas That Will Boost the Value of Your Home

      These simple outdoor upgrades can benefit your home's curb appeal and resale value. Read More
    • 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    27 St. Patrick's Day Recipes That Will Help You Build the Perfect Menu

    27 St. Patrick's Day Recipes That Will Help You Build the Perfect Menu

    Deck yourself out in green and celebrate everything Irish with our absolute favorite St. Patrick's Day recipes for brunch and dinner. That might mean corned beef and cabbage, the standout dish stateside, or a lamb or beef stew—the entrées those in the Emerald Isle are most likely to eat on March 17. Perhaps you'd prefer bangers and mash or a Guinness pie packed with beef? Create your St. Patrick's Day menu from our selection of appetizers and main courses (we included a few drinks, too!). Whatever you do, be sure to bake a loaf of soda bread for the table—and end the meal on a sweet note with one of our dessert recipes just right for the holiday.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Halloween Party Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • Adult Halloween Costumes
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    Bolder tones, like cherry red and deep olive green, will dominate in the heart of the home.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    The Fastest-Growing Trees to Plant in Your Garden

    The Fastest-Growing Trees to Plant in Your Garden

    These five trees provide shade and foliage more quickly than other varieties.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    The Right Way to Clean Every Part of Your Oven, From the Racks to the Door Glass

    The Right Way to Clean Every Part of Your Oven, From the Racks to the Door Glass

    This workhorse kitchen appliance will look good as new if you follow these expert-approved steps.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    These Are the 10 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together, Experts Say

    These Are the 10 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together, Experts Say

    Take these easy steps to ensure the strength of your relationship.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    15 St. Patrick's Day Decoration Ideas—From Ornamental Cabbage to DIY Rainbows

    15 St. Patrick's Day Decoration Ideas—From Ornamental Cabbage to DIY Rainbows

    Feeling lucky? It could be the luck of the Irish. After all, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day. On March 17, there's much to do—from cooking corned beef and cabbage and donning your finest green attire to raising a glass in honor of Irish pride. You can (and should!) also decorate as part of the festivities.  If you're looking for a golden idea, you're in luck. Kick off your St. Patrick's Day celebrations with our shamrock garlands, rainbow balloons, leprechaun traps, and more decoration ideas. 
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    The Causes of Hair Loss at the Crown—Plus, What to Do About It, According to Experts

    The Causes of Hair Loss at the Crown—Plus, What to Do About It, According to Experts

    From high ponytails to poor nutrition, here's what causes thinning and breakage on this part of the scalp.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    Puppies are irresistible. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives—and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them. 
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Food & Cooking
  3. Recipes
  4. Ingredients
  5. Pasta and Grains
  6. Our Favorite Pasta Recipes to Make During Spring

Our Favorite Pasta Recipes to Make During Spring

Laura Rege, Freelance Writer
By Laura Rege February 09, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
salmon-pea-pasta-casserole-069-d112355.jpg
Credit: Bryan Gardner

Fresh tasting and colorful, these spring pasta recipes are packed with seasonal produce like asparagus and peas—add them to your weeknight dinner rotation and you won't be disappointed.

Start Slideshow

1 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
cheesy asparagus pasta in red pot
Credit: Chris Simpson

Coming off the long winter, spring produce is refreshing and bright, offering a reprise from cold weather and short days, earning its place in the spotlight. We have no shortage of spring recipes, but one of our favorite ways to feature the season's bounty—asparagus, peas, greens, herbs, and more is to pair it with a bowl of crowd-pleasing, comforting, al dente pasta. The Cheesy Asparagus Pasta pictured here is the perfect example: For a gourmet take on family-friendly mac and cheese, we gave our recipe a seasonal boost by adding a pound of asparagus to the pasta.

Pasta is a perfect vehicle for transforming peak season produce into delicious meals. It's adaptable, versatile, and ideal for pairing with the lighter sauces and crisper vegetables that come with spring. Faster and fresher than winter recipes, spring pastas forgo the longer cooked sauces such as marinara and ragú in favor of preparations that come right together in the pan. Filled with spring vegetables and bound with bright sauces that have herbal notes and fresh lemony flavor, these pastas embrace the color of seasonal market produce and are so quick to prepare. With these recipes, you truly could have pasta every night of the week and never get bored.

Start by exploring one of our favorite pasta sauces that showcases produce: pesto. Prepare a traditional basil pesto dish and serve it with trofie, a short, twisted pasta and green beans and potatoes, just like they do in Italy. Blend pistachios with mint instead of basil and toss the resulting sauce with with campanelle, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes. Don't just lean on herbs, though. Try preparing a pesto made from vegetables, like our vibrant orange carrot pesto, which pairs beautifully with orecchiette, or one made from sweet, tender peas, which we like to use to coat handkerchief-shaped pieces of pasta. 

Next, explore the versatility of pasta by pairing different shapes with spring vegetables. Orecchiette or "little ears" have a perfect cradle for tender-young spring greens and creamy artisanal goat cheese. Homemade pea and mint ravioli are the perfect pockets of sweet spring flavor. Curvy cavatappi cradle peas, salmon, and herbs in a cream sauce for a noodle casserole that is both comforting and light in flavor. Hungry and ready to explore further? Check out these favorite spring pasta recipes.

1 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Egg Noodles with Asparagus and Grated Egg Yolks

egg noodles with asparagus and grated egg yolks
Credit: Ryan Liebe
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This sunny bowl of egg noodles screams spring thanks to the addition of crisp-tender asparagus and a pretty yellow grating of hard-boiled egg yolk. The decadent creamy sauce is made from mascarpone and pecorino romano cheeses with a touch of tart lemon.

2 of 14

3 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Orecchiette with Carrot-Hazelnut Pesto

pasta-orechhiette-carrot-0156-d111697.jpg
Credit: Johnny Miller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sweet and tender spring carrots are paired with nutty hazelnuts and salty pecorino to make a tasty and unexpected base for the pesto that's tossed with orecchiette. Layer on extra seasonal flavor with a sprinkle of fresh chopped leafy greens—try basil, parsley, chives, or chervil.

3 of 14

Advertisement

4 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salmon Noodle Casserole

salmon-pea-pasta-casserole-069-d112355.jpg
Credit: Bryan Gardner
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

When spring weather is still cool enough to justify one last casserole before you turn the oven off for the summer, try this dish. It's inspired by the classic tuna noodle casserole, but this salmon version adds in sweet spring peas and lightens up the cream sauce with lemon zest and fresh dill and scallions.

4 of 14

5 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pea Pesto Handkerchiefs

pea pesto handkerchiefs pasta in bowl with spoon
Credit: Chris Simpson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

With its handkerchief-shaped pasta, this spring recipe looks like it came right out of a restaurant, but it's a quick and flavorful dish made using curly lasagna sheets torn into two-inch pieces. And that pesto! If it isn't clear yet, we could riff on pesto endlessly, but this sweet pea version is a definite highlight.

5 of 14

6 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tuscan Kale with Orecchiette

orichette-038-mbd109404.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The arrival of spring brings a new crop of young and tender greens, and a dish like this kale pasta topped with creamy goat cheese is the perfect excuse to enjoy them. You'll find that this recipe is very versatile; substitute the kale for any spring green at the market—we love it with baby Swiss chard or baby kale.

6 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Beet Pasta with Ricotta

bold_beet_pasta_with_ricotta.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A must-make, this recipe is the perfect way to enjoy the extra-sweet beets available in the spring, which are smaller and less earthy in flavor than the cooler weather crop. Roast the beets per the recipe, but make sure to give them a check earlier—their small size might mean they cook in just 30 minutes. If you get really sweet, tender young beets from the market, you might consider skipping the roast all together and trying this dish using raw vegetables.

7 of 14

8 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Penne with Shrimp, Feta, and Spring Vegetables

med103596_0408_penne.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

An easy meal with minimal cleanup, this smart recipe pairs pasta with shrimp, feta, snow peas, and asparagus—and the entire dish is cooked in one pot. Fresh mint adds a subtle herbal note, but any leafy green herb would be just as tasty—try basil or parsley.

8 of 14

9 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Campanelle with Pistachio-Mint Pesto, Asparagus, and Cherry Tomatoes

pasta pistachio mint pesto asparagus tomatoes
Credit: Christopher Testani
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The star of this dish is crisp-tender asparagus, cherry tomatoes play a supporting role. Serve this pasta warm right off the stovetop or make it ahead and serve at room temperature like a pasta salad—it's one of those recipes that tastes great either way.

9 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Primavera Penne

asparagus-penne-056-med109842.jpg
Credit: Andrew Purcell
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Penne meets asparagus and (frozen) peas in this light main course. A little white wine, lemon zest, and fresh mint bring it all together, and Parmesan seals the deal.

10 of 14

11 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Easy Pea Ravioli with Mint

la101982_0506_pasta.jpg
Credit: John Kernick
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Store bought wonton wrappers make homemade ravioli a weeknight possibility in this recipe that highlights a favorite spring pairing: peas and mint. This recipe is intended to be a first course for four, but since it's so easy and delicious, you just might want to make it a main by doubling it.

11 of 14

12 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Linguine with Tapenade, Tomatoes, and Arugula

linquine-tapenade-0711med107220ayc003.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sometimes the formula for dinner success includes leaning on a key pantry ingredient. Here, we dollop store-bought black olive tapenade right into the dish to create a flavorful sauce along with burst cherry tomatoes. We toss it all with linguini and fresh peppery arugula leaves for bright spring flavor.

12 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Trofie with Pesto, Green Beans, and Potato

ft_feb05msl14.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Pair small, tender spring potatoes and green beans with a classic basil pesto in this recipe which is based off a classic Ligurian dish. If you can't find trofie pasta, select a similar shape such as fusilli or penne rigate that has ridges in it for the pesto to cling to.

13 of 14

14 of 14

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pasta with Salmon, Broccoli Rabe, and Garlic

salmon-broccoli-rabe-217-d112659.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's a robust take on spring pasta made with beautiful wild salmon, broccoli rabe, and plenty of garlic. Using canned wild salmon means you can make this recipe any night of the week, or cook fresh salmon, then flake and add it in.

14 of 14

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Laura Rege

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 14
    2 of 14 Egg Noodles with Asparagus and Grated Egg Yolks
    3 of 14 Orecchiette with Carrot-Hazelnut Pesto
    4 of 14 Salmon Noodle Casserole
    5 of 14 Pea Pesto Handkerchiefs
    6 of 14 Tuscan Kale with Orecchiette
    7 of 14 Beet Pasta with Ricotta
    8 of 14 Penne with Shrimp, Feta, and Spring Vegetables
    9 of 14 Campanelle with Pistachio-Mint Pesto, Asparagus, and Cherry Tomatoes
    10 of 14 Primavera Penne
    11 of 14 Easy Pea Ravioli with Mint
    12 of 14 Linguine with Tapenade, Tomatoes, and Arugula
    13 of 14 Trofie with Pesto, Green Beans, and Potato
    14 of 14 Pasta with Salmon, Broccoli Rabe, and Garlic

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Corporate

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Our Favorite Pasta Recipes to Make During Spring
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.