This Corn Pasta with Basil is a quick pasta dish that is perfect for the warmer weather. Pasta, sweet corn, fragrant basil, creamy butter, and the crunch of pinenuts. 5 ingredients that sing together in this delicious summer pasta.
When fresh corn is in season, there is nothing better. And in this easy pasta recipe, the corn is the star. But you can use frozen corn kernels or canned corn.
Serve this corn pasta with a salad and some bread as a main course, or use it as a side dish to some grilled fish, chicken, or pork. This Summer pasta is a winner.
A simple sauce for pasta
The key to this dish is the butter and pasta water emulsion that coats the pasta.
Using some of the cooking water from the pasta is a crucial tip in this recipe and for so many pasta dishes. The starchy water helps to emulsify the sauce, allowing you to use less butter and still achieve a glossy and unctuous sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Use salted butter, which helps pack even more flavor into the simple sauce.
- Be sure to heavily salt your pasta water once it comes to a boil and before you add your pasta.
- Make sure you reserve at least 2 cups of pasta cooking water.
- Buy a good quality farfalle (bowtie pasta); it will cook more evenly.
- With the basil, you want to tear it up, don't cut the leaves with a knife, or they will bruise and get black edges. If you have baby basil leaves, then leave them whole.
Recipe adaptions
- You can swap the farfalle/bowties for fusilli or go for a long pasta noodle like linguine or spaghetti.
- Add some spice to your pasta with red pepper flakes.
- Add some crumbled grilled bacon or prosciutto for a crispy, salty, smoky hit.
- Add some leftover protein to the pasta. It works perfectly if you have some leftover cooked chicken or pork. Or add cooked shrimp and smoked salmon. With cooked proteins, add them to the butter sauce to heat through before adding the pasta.
- Add some Pangratatto. These toasted breadcrumbs add a deliciously crunchy, crispy element to the pasta. Recipe coming soon for a variety of pangratatto options.
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Serving Suggestions
Side: To balance the sweet corn and rich butter, serve this pasta with a rocket and parmesan salad with a drizzle of balsamic dressing. Or serve it as a side dish next to a pork chop or seared salmon.
Wine: The basil in this dish needs to be paired with herbaceous wines like a Sauvignon Blanc, which will also work with the buttery sauce. This dish lends itself towards white wine, but a very light young pinot noir would work.
Enjoy x
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Get the Recipe
Corn Pasta with Basil
Ingredients
- 12 oz farfalle (see note 1)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ¼ cup salted butter (see note 2)
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 2½ cups corn kernels (see note 3)
- ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of water to a boil, and add the salt.1 tablespoon salt
- Add the pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the packet suggests.12 oz farfalle
- Reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Put the empty pan back over medium heat and add in the butter and black pepper.¼ cup salted butter½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- Add ½ cup of the pasta water and stir well until you have a thick glossy emulsion.
- Add the corn and the drained pasta. Then stir gently to coat.2½ cups corn kernels
- Let the pasta finish cooking in the sauce, adding more pasta water if needed.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir through the basil.⅓ cup fresh basil leaves
- Check the seasoning and then serve garnished with pine nuts.¼ cup pine nutssalt and pepper
Notes
- You can swap the farfalle/bowties for fusilli or go for a long pasta noodle like linguine or spaghetti.
- Use salted butter, which helps pack even more flavor into the simple sauce. If you are using unsalted butter, add extra salt to your butter when it is melting.
- You can use fresh corn cut off the cob, frozen corn kernels, or canned corn.
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
Lisa says
I just made this tonight and it was so light and delicious. I used pistachios instead of pine nuts and topped it with grated Parmesan.
Sandra says
Just made it! Added a little garlic powder too. A delicious summer combo I wouldn’t have thought of—thank you so much. This recipe is a keeper!
Sachi says
Corn and pasta is a great combination, perfect for entertaining.
Rupali says
This is a beautiful pasta recipe. My whole family loved it and asked for seconds!
Alex says
I love how simple this recipe is, but everything comes together so well. I love the texture of the corn with the pasta. Very delicious!
Russ says
sign me up for your news letter thanks
Mate Mate TW says
All three ingredients in the dish look super amazing and look delish for a breakfast dish.
Mandy says
Pasta and corn are two of my favorite things, so this dish was perfect for me and it was SO easy!
Donna says
This was such a fun and summery pasta dish! We paired it with some grilled chicken breasts and it was delicious. Packed well in lunchboxes the next day as well, which is always handy!
Claire McEwen says
So happy you and the family enjoyed it Donna 🙂
It is perfect with chicken isn't it
Cx
Alex Bala says
What a great pasta recipe! I love how simple and delicious this is!
Cindy says
What a delicious dish! I love the layering of flavors and textures. Thanks for a great recipe!