5 Minute Sweetcorn Pasta Recipes

CREAMY SWEET CORN PASTA WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with a big pinch of salt then add pasta and cook until al dente. DO NOT DRAIN. Carefully use a glass measuring dish or measuring cup to scoop out ~2 cups pasta cooking water and set aside.
• While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower and shallot, season with salt and pepper, then saute until the cauliflower begins to turn golden brown, 5 minutes. Turn heat down to medium then add sweet corn and garlic, season with more salt and pepper, and then saute until sweet corn is slightly tender, 5 more minutes. Add basil and a small squeeze of lemon juice (you can always add more later) then stir to combine. If pasta is not done cooking at this point, turn heat down to low.
• Once pasta is al dente, and you've scooped out the pasta cooking water, use tongs to transfer pasta into skillet then toss to combine. Add parmesan cheese and 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water then simmer while stirring until a light and creamy sauce has been formed. Add more pasta cooking water if needed to achieve a light sauce - sauce will thicken as it cools. Taste then add more salt and/or fresh lemon juice, and then serve.

SWEET CORN AND SCALLOP PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high. Season scallops with salt and pepper and add to skillet in a single layer. Cook, undisturbed, until golden underneath, about 2 minutes. Flip scallops and cook until golden on second side, 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a cutting board to cool.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, corn and scallions to the skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add lemon juice and stir to lift up any browned bits on bottom of pan.
• While the corn cooks, chop the cooled scallops into 1/2-inch pieces. Return pasta, 1/2 cup of the pasta water, corn mixture, scallops and butter to the large pot and heat over medium. Cook, stirring vigorously, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cheese and basil, and season with salt and pepper. (Add more pasta water if a thinner sauce is desired.)
• Divide pasta among bowls and garnish with more basil. Drizzle with olive oil, if desired.

SUMMER CORN FETTUCCINE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boil over medium heat. Salt the water, add the pasta and cook to al dente.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook a few minutes until rendered and crisp. Put a small bowl inverted into a large bowl, steady the corn cobs on the smaller bowl and scrape the ears. Add 3/4 of the scraped corn and any corn liquid to the pan with the bacon. Add the shallots and red pepper and liberally season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the vegetables are tender, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Add the remaining corn and half-and-half to a food processor and puree until smooth.
• Pour the stock or wine into the corn and vegetables, and simmer over low heat for a minute to reduce. Stir in the thyme and corn-cream mixture and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, to thicken. Add the hot sauce or cayenne and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Drain the pasta and add it to a large serving bowl. Pour in the sauce, add a couple of handfuls of cheese, about 1/2 cup and toss. Top with torn basil or chopped tarragon and pass the remaining cheese at the table.