Creamy Corn Pasta

4.7
(6)
6 Reviews
5 Photos

If you're looking for a comfort dish, try this delicious creamy corn pasta. Great as a side to bring to a BBQ or top with seafood or chicken for a main.

By
Kathryn Hendrix, RDN, LD
Kathryn Hendrix, RDN, LD
Kathryn Hendrix, RDN, LD
Kathryn Hendrix is a Registered Dietitian and Culinary School Graduate. She specializes in Whole Food Plant Based, Vegan, Gluten Free, and Nutrition. She has over 10 years culinary experience and has been cooking vegan her whole life.
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Published on February 18, 2024
Tested by
Linda Brewer
Tested by Linda Brewer
Linda Brewer is an advocate for others to pursue their culinary interests through new cooking methods and experiencing culturally diverse foods. Her joy of hiking gives her a special interest in camp-friendly recipes for both her personal and professional cooking.
Meet the Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Creamy corn pasta served with fresh basil, parmesan, and crushed red pepper.
5
5
5
5
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Cool Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 12 ounces dry shell or orecchiette pasta

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, divided

  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 cups fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels, divided

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

  • 1/3 cup torn fresh basil or mint, plus more for garnish

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    All ingredients to make creamy corn pasta gathered in small bowls on a kitchen counter.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in shell pasta and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, 1 minute less than package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain and reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking water.

    Pasta cooked until tender, with a cup of starch water reserved.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in an extra-large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, salt, and black pepper. Cook until fragrant, stirring regularly, about 1 minute.

    garlic, salt, and black pepper, cooking until fragrant in a large skillet

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and 1 3/4 cup corn. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, until corn is heated through and very tender, 2 minutes for canned corn, 3 minutes for frozen corn, and 6 minutes for fresh corn. Cool for 15 minutes.

    1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and 1 3/4 cup corn added to aromatics in a large skillet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Add cooled corn mixture to a blender and blend until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add additional pasta water as needed to blend.

    cooked corn mixture blended until creamy.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in the extra-large skillet. Add the remaining 1/4 cup corn and cook over medium heat until tender and corn is heated through, about 1 minute.

    1/4 cup corn added to melted butter and cooked over medium heat until tender

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Add corn puree and cook, uncovered, over medium heat until heated through, about 2 minutes.

    corn puree stirred into skillet

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Add cooked pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir in Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper, if using. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, adding more pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.

    additional starch water added to creamy corn pasta mixture.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Stir in basil and lemon juice.

    Basil and lemon juice added to pasta mixture.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  10. Serve with more basil and Parmesan cheese. 

    creamy corn pasta topped with parmesan and crushed red pepper

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

421 Calories
17g Fat
59g Carbs
11g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 421
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 10g 48%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 626mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 59g 21%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 11g 21%
Vitamin C 2mg 3%
Calcium 123mg 9%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 184mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.