Quick & Easy One-Pot Bacon and Sweet Corn Pasta
This bacon and sweet corn pasta is straight to the point and crazy simple to make. Twirl a forkful of spaghetti with bits of sweet corn, smokey bacon, and fresh scallions & basil, topped with all the parmesan your heart desires. The sauce is simple, made with butter & oil, starchy pasta water, and infused with fresh herbs. A fun and delicious way to incorporate summer corn into a one-pot meal that is guaranteed to become a summertime favorite!
The saltiness of the bacon paired with the sweetness from the corn and then the nutty, umami-ness from the parmesan, it hits in all the right places! You cannot go wrong with these flavors.
I was first inspired to make this dish after trying a seafood and corn pasta dish from a local Italian restaurant. I was in awe of how simple and glossy the sauce was, without cream. Think lightened up carbonara. I wanted to create a recipe that was more accessible (minus the lobster, insert the bacon). So one night, when I had no idea what to make, I had some leftover boiled corn, so I decided to create my first test, and add the corn to some spaghetti. Needless to say, it was love at first bite.
The details of this bacon & corn pasta are quite simple
What makes this recipe a favorite? The fact the ingredients required are so simple and accessible during the summertime. I picked up everything I needed in one fell swoop at my local farm stand.
Just a few ingredients
Reserved pasta water = the secret to recipe success!
Reserved pasta water from boiling the spaghetti is the secret to success for the glossiness of the bacon and sweet corn pasta. By using the reserved pasta water, you are getting the starch released from the pasta while cooking, which is a thickening agent that yields a rich, silky coating on the pasta with added flavor.
Tips
- Bacon tip! It’s much easier to cut the bacon up if it’s frozen. If your bacon isn’t frozen, pop the package in the freezer while the pasta boils.
- I like to save bacon fat in a mason jar for cooking on the griddle, it’s very good for the griddle surface. Otherwise, a quick discard method is to place a piece of tin foil into a small bowl, then pour the fat into the tin foil. Let it cool, then toss the tin foil away.
Recipe substitutions & FAQs
protein options
Use pancetta in place of bacon for a milder flavor that is less smokey. Bacon can be overpowering for some.
Chicken would be a great addition to this bacon and sweet corn pasta! Add grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken.
pasta options
You can use any pasta for this recipe! I recommend substituting with a rotini or fusilli, as these noodles can hold onto the corn and bacon.
how to reheat leftovers
You can reheat it in the microwave and then add a little olive oil to combat any dryness.
can i use canned or frozen corn?
If you don’t have access to fresh corn, I recommend frozen corn as a substitute. You won’t get the sweet corn milk that comes from fresh corn, so I recommend adding a teaspoon of honey when you add the corn.
can i use leftover boiled corn?
Absolutely! That’s how this recipe was born, using leftover boiled corn on the cob that I needed to use up.
More Pasta Recipes
If you love this recipe, check out some of my other favorite pasta dishes!
Quick & Easy One-Pot Bacon and Sweet Corn Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the corn and boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove the corn from the boiling water using tongs, and place on a cutting board to cool. While the pasta is cooking in the next step, cut the kernels of corn off of the cob.
- Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water, and return to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, but just before draining, collect ½-1 cup of the boiling pasta water and set aside.
- In the same pot, over medium high heat, add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside. Discard of the bacon fat.
- Add the olive oil to the pot over medium high heat. Add the scallions and sauté for 1 minute. Add the corn and sauté 1 more minute.
- Return the pasta to the pot, add the butter and stir until incorporated. Add ½ cup of the pasta water and mix it into the pasta. Add the bacon and basil, stir until incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add more pasta water if it seems too dry.
- Serve in pasta bowls and top with a healthy dose of finely grated parmesan.
