Fresh corn is by far one of my favorite vegetables of summer. While I love it right off the cob corn can also become a luscious velvety pasta sauce without one bit of cream or flour to be found. Add in some fragrant pesto and sweet cherry tomatoes and you’ve got a pasta dinner that’s easy, healthy and delicious. My Pasta with Creamy Pesto Corn Sauce and Tomatoes comes together in less than 20 minutes and may just become your new favorite summer dinner.
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I first tried a pasta with fresh corn sauce from famed Philadelphia chef Mark Vetri’s book Mastering Pasta . I loved how bright, fresh and above all easy this veggie based sauce was. It also was a great canvas for endless variations so I opted to add two other summer stars in the form of pesto and tomatoes and I was positively smitten with the result.
How to Make Pasta with Pesto Corn Sauce
To start set a large pot of water to boil to cook the pasta per package instructions (be sure to reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water). You can use any shape of pasta you wish though I particularly like fettucine, penne and corkscrew pasta. In a large skillet saute onions and garlic for 3 minutes or until fragrant. Add in corn kernels (fresh corn if it’s in season or thawed frozen corn works as well). and cook for a few more minutes. Transfer all of this to a blender, add 1/4 cup water, pesto salt and pepper and blend until smooth. For another easy pasta dinner take a look at this penne alla vodka recipe.
Return the sauce to the skillet and add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water (the starchy pasta water helps the sauce thicken further and come together), stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta. Add the tomatoes and cook for one more minute. This pasta makes a great vegetarian main course all on its own but shrimp or chicken are great additions as well.
If you like this Pasta with Creamy Pesto Corn Sauce and Tomatoes be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Creamy Pasta with Mushrooms and Asparagus
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto (Pesto Rosso)
Zucchini Puff Pastry Tart with Pesto Ricotta
Israeli Couscous with Spinach and Pine Nuts
Risotto with Shrimp and Asparagus
If you make this Pasta with Creamy Pesto Corn Sauce and Tomatoes please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Pasta with Creamy Pesto Corn Sauce and Tomatoes
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- large pot
- Blender
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1.5 cups corn kernels about 2 ears fresh corn
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp pesto
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
Instructions
- Prepare dried pasta per package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain pasta.
- While the pasta is cooking prepare the sauce. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for 3 minutes. Add the corn and saute for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer vegetables to a blender, add 1/4 cup water, pesto salt and pepper and blend until smooth.
- Return the sauce to the pan and add the pasta and reserved pasta water. Cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring, the sauce will thicken and coat the pasta. Add the tomatoes and cook for 1 more minute.
- Divide between 4 plates and serve.
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veenaazmanov says
My kids to feast on it. I love this Bowl of goodness. Perfect treat and Happy Meal.
amanda says
This pasta looks delicious, can’t wait to try to the recipe – thanks!
Shobelyn Dayrit says
What a unique sauce this is. It made the pasta look so creamy. I bet this smells really good too from the corn.
Heather says
I never would have thought to turn corn into a pasta sauce – how cool! I love how fresh and fun this sounds for a summer dinner.
Kathryn says
This pasta dish is so perfect for summer! Love using seasonal veggies and this looks and sounds delicious, thank you!
Andrea White says
This looks absolutely delicious!
Leslie says
This recipe is genius! I’ve never heard of using white corn as a pasta sauce but what a FABULOUS idea!!
Tristin says
My kids were able to help me in the kitchen with this pasta. We even used fresh tomatoes that we had gotten from the farmers market. Everyone was very pleased with the outcome!
Amy Liu Dong says
I have never tried to have this kind of sauce into my paste, and it looks delicious.
So excited to try this recipe!
Nicole says
Corn in pasta should be way more mainstream than it is, because it’s soooo good! I had a corn sauce on pasta with roasted tomatoes in Sonoma a few years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. Plus, corn is one of my (and my toddler’s) favourites, so I know this will be a hit with her, too!
Melinda says
You had me at corn sauce! This looks like a recipe that I’ll be able put together quickly even on busy work night, plus it has all my favorite ingredients. Thank you for sharing such pure comfort food!!
Jamie says
That’s such a great idea using the pasta water in the dish! It was so flavorful and my whole family loved it! Thank you!
Loreto and Nicoletta says
This pasta fish sounds pretty yummy. Two of my favorite ingredients in this. Corn, pesto. Yum yum. I would totally try this. Super easty and scrumptious, just the way we like it!😋😍🥰❤👍👌
Hannah says
I can not WAIT to try this!!! Corn is such a wonderful ingredient, and i have been searching for a way to use it in pasta – Thank you!
Brianna says
Please let me know how it turns out 🙂