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Creamy Corn Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 87 reviews

Creamy Corn Pasta is a delightful summer dish combining fresh corn kernels, aromatic shallots, and garlic into a smooth, cheesy sauce that coats tender shell pasta. This recipe highlights the sweetness of fresh corn, balanced with tangy lemon juice and the sharpness of pecorino cheese, finished with fresh basil and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. It’s quick to prepare, perfect for a weeknight dinner, and uses simple ingredients to create a comforting, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces shell pasta

Sauce & Vegetables

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • Kernels from 4 ears fresh corn (about 3 cups)
  • 2 shallots, chopped (⅔ cup)
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup grated pecorino cheese
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, divided
  • Red pepper flakes, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the shell pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1½ cups of the starchy pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the corn kernels, chopped shallots, chopped garlic, sea salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the shallots soften and the corn is tender and bright yellow. Turn off the heat.
  3. Prepare the Corn Puree: Transfer half of the cooked corn mixture to a blender. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water and fresh lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the cooked pasta to the skillet with the remaining corn mixture. Heat over low heat. Add the pureed corn sauce and stir well to coat the pasta thoroughly.
  5. Finish the Sauce: Add the grated pecorino cheese and another ¼ cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely into the sauce. Add additional pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
  6. Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Fold in half of the fresh basil leaves, then drizzle with extra olive oil if desired. Garnish the dish with the remaining basil leaves and sprinkle with red pepper flakes before serving.

Notes

  • Using fresh corn is key for the sweetest, freshest flavor, but frozen corn can be used if fresh isn’t available.
  • Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps loosen the sauce and binds it to the pasta.
  • Adjust the amount of lemon juice and red pepper flakes according to your taste preference for acidity and heat.
  • Pecorino cheese adds a unique sharpness; Parmesan can be substituted if preferred.
  • This pasta is best served immediately for optimal texture and flavor.

Keywords: corn pasta, creamy pasta, summer pasta recipe, Italian vegetarian pasta, fresh corn recipe, pecorino pasta, easy dinner, basil pasta

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/creamy-corn-pasta-recipe/