Easy One Pot Creamy Corn Pasta with Bacon
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This creamy one-pot corn pasta with bacon is perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines sweet corn, savory bacon, and a rich, creamy sauce. Use fresh or frozen corn and garnish with basil and parsley for a family favorite.
You'll also love my one pot pasta with peas, creamy mushroom pasta and roasted red pepper pasta.
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⭐️ Why this recipe works
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- One-Pot Meal: Minimal cleanup required, making it convenient and hassle-free.
- Versatile: Can be made with either fresh or frozen corn.
- Flavorful: Combines the sweetness of corn with the savory taste of bacon and a creamy sauce.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Garnished with fresh basil and parsley, it's a hit for kids and adults.
🧾 Ingredient notes
- Spaghetti: Forms the base of the dish, absorbs the creamy sauce well.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky, savory flavor and crispy texture.
- Fresh or Frozen Corn: Provides sweetness and a bit of crunch, adaptable to what's on hand.
- Heavy Cream: Creates the rich, creamy sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Enhances the creaminess and adds a salty, umami flavor.
- Garlic: Provides a fragrant, aromatic base.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- Basil: Fresh garnish that adds a bright, herbaceous note.
- Parsley: Another fresh garnish that adds color and mild, fresh flavor.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Corn pasta recipe step-by-step
- Cook the Bacon:
- In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- Add olive oil to the pot with the bacon fat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook Corn:
- Stir in the corn and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until tender. If using frozen corn, cook until heated through.
- Add Liquid Ingredients:
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook Pasta:
- Add the spaghetti to the pot, ensuring it's submerged in the liquid. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
- Finish with Cheese:
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Garnish:
- Add the cooked bacon back to the pot and mix well. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil and parsley.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing from a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, here are my top tips for recipe success.
- Cooking the Bacon: Cook bacon until crispy to add a perfect crunchy texture.
- Simmering: Ensure the sauce simmers gently to prevent it from curdling.
- Stirring Pasta: Stir occasionally while cooking the pasta to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
- Adjusting Thickness: If the sauce is too thick, add chicken broth or pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
- Garnishing: Fresh basil and parsley, add a burst of flavor and color, and sprinkle just before serving.
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of cream or chicken broth to loosen the sauce as needed. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
📖 Substitutions and variations
- Extra protein: Add in chicken or shrimp
- Bacon Substitutes: For a healthier option, consider using turkey bacon.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free spaghetti or pasta.
- Extra Veggies: Add spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers for more nutrition and color.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
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Easy One Pot Creamy Corn Pasta
This creamy one-pot corn pasta is perfect for busy weeknights. Use fresh or frozen corn for convenience. The savory bacon and sweet corn blend in a rich sauce, garnished with basil and parsley for a family favorite.
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Servings: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the Bacon:
- In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
Sauté Aromatics:
- Add olive oil to the pot with the bacon fat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
Cook Corn:
- Stir in the corn and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until tender. If using frozen corn, cook until heated through.
Add Liquid Ingredients:
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Cook Pasta:
- Add the spaghetti to the pot, ensuring it's submerged in the liquid. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
Finish with Cheese:
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine and Garnish:
- Add the cooked bacon back to the pot and mix well. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil and parsley.
Notes
- Bacon Substitutes: For a healthier option, consider using turkey bacon.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Add-Ins: For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
- Fresh vs. Frozen Corn: Fresh corn adds a nice crunch, but frozen corn is just as good and convenient.
Nutrition
Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1000IU | Vitamin C: 10.8mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1.5mg
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Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs. Cordon Bleu trained chef and recipe developer. I help you get incredible dinners on the table fast with fool-proof recipes, step-by-step instructions, and tips and tricks I've learned over a 10-year career in professional kitchens.
