The summer months are perfect for pasta salad, and one with yellow squash and tomatoes is garden-fresh. Plus who doesn't love bacon? This combo is fast, easy, and ultra-tasty.
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Summer Pasta Dinner
It's summertime, and you want to put some color (and veggies!) in your meals. The bright yellow squash and rich red tomatoes create a dish that matches the sunny days!
This delicious meal is an easy one you can throw together. I love the fresh ingredients readily available in summer, and pasta is a perfect simple base to hold it all together.
Try my other pasta salad recipes that make great dinners:
- Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Zucchini
- Easy Squash and Pancetta Pasta
- Herbed Vegetable Pasta with Artichokes
What is Gemelli Pasta?
Gemelli (pronounced jeh-MEL-lee) is the word for ‘twins’ in Italian. This type of pasta looks like two twin strands of pasta twisted together.
Take a closer look and you'll see it is actually one S-shaped strand in a corkscrew spiral. This particular shape of pasta makes it perfect for soaking up flavorful oils, sauces and flavors.
Gemelli Pasta Substitutes
Not all pasta is created equal! Many pasta shapes can be swapped for each other, but not all. For instance you wouldn't use Orzo (a rice-shape) in place of Penne (a tube).
If you don't have gemelli pasta on hand, or if it proves difficult to find in a store, there are plenty of different types of pasta you can use! There are lots of pasta substitutions that can be made.
Here are some fun shapes that I would recommend swapping for gemelli:
- Campanelle
- Conchiglie
- Orechiette
- Penne
- or make your own pasta!
Pasta with yellow squash, and more!
I like to start a lot of pasta dishes with a little cooked bacon, pancetta or sausage. Just a little goes a long way, so you still have a heavily veggie-based dish, but loads of flavor.
This pasta with yellow squash gets some tang from tomatoes and richness from a little bacon.
Try more summer pasta recipes:
- Italian Eggplant and Tomato Pasta with Ricotta
- Warm Salmon and Arugula Pasta
- Green Pesto Pasta with Lemon Ricotta
What a great way to use veggies from the market or your garden. Nothing is better than fresh veggies!
📖 Recipe
Gemelli With Bacon, Tomato And Yellow Squash
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 yellow squash (yellow zucchini) diced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 1 lb gemelli pasta
- kosher salt
- ground black pepper
- Parmesan
Instructions
- Cook pasta in very salty water, drain and set aside. Cook bacon over medium heat in a nonstick skillet; set aside.
- In same skillet, cook 2 diced yellow squash until just tender, about 5 min. Add 1 pint grape tomatoes and heat through, letting tomatoes get a little charred.
- Toss everything with cooked gemelli pasta, season to taste with extra salt, pepper and Parmesan.
Notes
Nutrition
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About Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.
Written by Tessa Samuelsen & Tara Teaspoon. Recipe Tara Teaspoon, Photographs Hallie Burton. LHJ 05/10
Tessa says
I love using fresh vegetables in my pasta! I can't wait to go out and buy some Gemelli pasta to try this this weekend after my trek to the farmer's market!
Anne Marie Miller says
This looks fantastic and so perfect for summer! I can't wait to make this for my friends.
Jan F says
I'm pretty good in the kitchen but would go for this combination. Have to try it tho!
Ishah C Whipple says
Great recipe! My family fights against veggies, but anything with bacon may make them reconsider! I personally love squash and will definitely be giving this a try.
Tara says
Ha! Yes bacon makes everything better! I hope they enjoy it!
Lina says
This recipe sounds delicious! I’ll save for later since pasta is my favourite food
Emily Terrell says
This recipe looks amazing! I love simplicity in the summer. And lighter meals. Looking forward to trying it!
Tara says
Oh good! Thanks
Ceci Rey says
This is a great recipe for the summer. Love your explanations. Thanks for sharing!
Tara says
Oh good! For sure!
joy says
looks good !! can't believe i never knew what gemelli pasta was. but i love the idea of adding bacon!
Joy at The Joyous Living
Pooja says
I've never made Gemelli before, and never thought of adding squash to my pasta either, so this was useful.
Tara says
Oh good! Enjoy!
Mia says
What a fantastic summer meal! I love gemelli pasta.