Corn and Bacon Pasta
This is a creamy pasta dish that has the juicy crunch of fresh corn, chewy bacon, and the brightness of fresh basil. The first bite is sure to put a smile on your face! Serve it as a lunch, main dish, or a perfect side to any BBQ, picnic, or potluck!
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 12 oz. box orecchiette
- 5-6 slices thick cut prepared bacon, cut crosswise into ½-inch wide strips
- 3 ears fresh corn, kernels cut from cobs
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan, grated
- Salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with foil, and place an ovenproof wire rack inside the baking sheet. Lay bacon strips on the wire rack and bake for 15-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon strips, until desired doneness. Remove from oven and cut into ½-inch wide strips crosswise; set aside. Pour 2 Tablespoons of the bacon grease into a 12-inch skillet. (*Note: If you prefer to cook the bacon in the skillet, cook, drain bacon on a paper towel-lined plate, cut crosswise, and reserve 2 Tbsp bacon grease in the skillet).
- In a large stockpot, bring 4 quarts water to a boil. Add 1 Tablespoon salt and pasta; cook according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup cooking water; set aside. Drain the pasta then return to the pot.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat bacon grease in the 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add cut corn with 1 tsp salt and cook until corn is bright yellow stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add heavy cream, ¼ cup fresh basil, 1 tsp salt, and ½-1 tsp black pepper. Cook until slightly thickened, about 2-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Add the corn-cream mixture, reserved cooking water, Parmesan, bacon, and remaining ¼ cup fresh chopped basil to the stockpot with the orecchiette. Stir together ingredients until combined and creamy. (Stir in any optional ingredients at this time.) Season with salt and pepper to taste and grated Parmesan on the side.