Creamy Zucchini Corn Pasta

By Maria Lichty

Published on July 29, 2024

Quick Summary

Creamy Zucchini Corn Pasta- this summery pasta dish takes less than 30 minutes to make! The pasta is made with zucchini, sweet corn, shallot, garlic, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. Top with fresh basil and you have the perfect summer meal.

creamy zucchini corn pasta in bowl with basil and parmesan cheese.  - 1

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During the summer, whenever I have a lot of zucchini to use up, I love making zucchini bread , chocolate zucchini cake , zucchini brownies , and even zucchini cookies .

I also love making savory zucchini recipes and this Creamy Zucchini Corn Pasta is one of my favorites. This pasta dish is super simple to make and is a great recipe for using up the garden zucchini.

The pasta is made with butter, garlic, shallot, tender zucchini, and sweet corn. It also has a rich cream sauce and plenty of Parmesan cheese. Finish with fresh basil and a dash of crushed red pepper flakes and you have the ULTIMATE summer pasta! The flavors are simple, but SO good!

Serve with garlic bread or a simple salad and dinner is done. You can also serve this pasta as a side dish to chicken , fish , pork , or steak !

  1. Pasta Ingredients
  2. How to Make Zucchini Corn Pasta
  3. Variations
  4. Serving Suggestions
  5. How to Store
  6. More Pasta Recipes
  7. Creamy Zucchini Corn Pasta Recipe
ingredients to make creamy zucchini corn pasta.  - 2

Pasta Ingredients

  • Pasta – I like to use orecchiette pasta, but fusilli, penne, farfalle, or any pasta will work.
  • Butter – you can use salted or unsalted butter.
  • Shallot – look for shallot by the garlic in the produce section.
  • Zucchini – you don’t need to peel the zucchini, just chop it up.
  • Sweet corn – use a sharp knife to remove the kernels from the cobs.
  • Garlic – minced.
  • Heavy cream – to create a creamy sauce!
  • Parmesan cheese – use a microplane to freshly grate a wedge of Parmesan cheese.
  • Basil – chopped.
  • Crushed red pepper flakes – for a little heat.
pasta in colander.  - 3

How to Make Zucchini Corn Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of the starchy pasta water and drain the pasta. Pour the pasta back into the pot.
shallot, zucchini, corn, and garlic cooking in skillet.  - 4
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the shallot and zucchini and cook for 3 minutes. Add the corn and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
heavy cream being poured over zucchini corn pasta.  - 5
  • Add the zucchini and corn mixture to the pasta in the pot. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in the heavy cream and the reserved pasta water.
pasta, zucchini, corn, basil, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes in pan.  - 6
  • Stir in the Parmesan cheese, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Serve warm with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
creamy zucchini corn pasta in skillet with wooden spoon.  - 7

Variations

  • Add in extra veggies like yellow squash, peppers, or mushrooms.
  • Stir in a handful of halved cherry tomatoes.
  • Add extra herbs. Parsley, chives, thyme, and dill are all good options.
  • For a protein boost, stir in cooked chopped chicken.
  • Top with garlic breadcrumbs .

Serving Suggestions

  • Bruschetta
  • Garlic Bread or Caprese Garlic Bread
  • Caprese Salad
  • Simple Arugula Salad
  • Easy Skillet Chicken Thighs
  • Chicken Milanese
  • Lemon Butter Chicken
  • Steak Kabobs

How to Store

  • Let the pasta cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan on the stovetop or in the microwave. If the pasta dries out a little, add a splash of heavy cream and stir.
close up of creamy zucchini corn pasta in bowl with spoon.  - 8

More Pasta Recipes

  • Zucchini Parmesan Pasta
  • Spaghetti
  • Pasta Primavera
  • Cacio e Pepe
  • Chicken Penne Pasta
  • Broccoli Pasta

Check out MORE PASTA RECIPES !

Creamy Zucchini Corn Pasta - 9

Pasta

Creamy Zucchini Corn Pasta

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • 8 oz orecchiette pasta, or pasta of your choice
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 2 cups chopped zucchini
  • 2 ears sweet corn, kernels removed from the cobs (about 2 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped basil
  • Dash of crushed red pepper flakes
  • Extra parmesan cheese and basil, for garnish

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of the starchy pasta water and drain the pasta. Pour the pasta back into the pot.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the shallot and zucchini and cook for 3 minutes. Add the corn and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the zucchini and corn mixture to the pasta in the pot. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in the heavy cream and the reserved pasta water. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Serve warm with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Notes

Nutrition

Have you tried this recipe?

Creamy Zucchini Corn Pasta - 10

Creamy Zucchini Corn Pasta

Recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod

Ingredients

  • 8 oz orecchiette pasta, or pasta of your choice
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 2 cups chopped zucchini
  • 2 ears sweet corn, kernels removed from the cobs (about 2 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped basil
  • Dash of crushed red pepper flakes
  • Extra parmesan cheese and basil, for garnish

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water and drain the pasta. Pour the pasta back into the pot.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the shallot and zucchini and cook for 3 minutes. Add the corn and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the zucchini and corn mixture to the pasta in the pot. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in the heavy cream and the reserved pasta water. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Serve warm with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Notes

Nutrition