Hey there, food adventurers!
Ever dreamt of a pasta dish that's both incredibly comforting and surprisingly good for you? Well, buckle up because we're about to dive into a bowl of pure, golden deliciousness: Vegan Creamy Corn Pasta! This isn't your average pasta dish; it's a celebration of late summer's bounty and a testament to how simple ingredients can create pure magic.
I was recently travelling but before I left I whipped this up just for you. It's a simple hug in a bowl with the gorgeous flavour of sweetcorn and a creamy sauce that will have you coming back for more.
The Stars of the Show
Sweet Corn: Let's talk about the star of this dish - corn! Whether you're using fresh corn on the cob, or defrosted kernels, this is where the magic happens. Grilling or pan-frying it first brings out a wonderful caramelized flavour that adds an extra layer of taste.
Green Beans: These little green gems add a lovely bit of crunch and a burst of freshness. I love to quickly boil them in the pasta water or steam them to keep all the good stuff.
Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy, sweet, and bursting with flavour, cherry tomatoes add a delightful pop of freshness. When cooked in garlic oil they melt into something truely special!
Lemon Juice: Sweetcorn is, well, sweet. A squeeze of lemon or apple cider vinegar balances this perfectly, giving the sauce an ideal zing.
Nutritional Yeast: The secret weapon for all vegan recipes that is. It gives the dish that cheesy umami flavour.
Vegan Cream: For that velvety smoothness, we're adding a touch of vegan cream. Oat cream, soy cream, cashew cream, it's your pick. A splash of plant milk and a little olive oil also works perfectly
Toasted Breadcrumbs: Crunchy toasted breadcrumbs are the perfect finish for this bowl of perfection. Make your own from day old bread, or try frying them for extra special touch.
Rigatoni Pasta: Big tubes of rigatoni catch the sauce like a dream. But you can use any pasta you like, fettuccine also works a treat.
Get Your Cooking On!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of fresh or defrosted sweetcorn
- 2oz of fresh green beans
- 7oz of rigatoni pasta (or any other pasta you prefer)
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 4 cloves of finely diced garlic
- A pinch of chili flakes (optional)
- 5oz of sweet cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1.5 tbsp of lemon juice
- 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast (or 1 tbsp of white miso)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup of vegan cream
- 2 tbsp of toasted breadcrumbs
- A handful of fresh basil leaves
Method:
- If using fresh corn on the cob, grill or pan fry to get it slightly charred. If using defrosted or shaved kernels fry it in a little oil in a skillet to bring out its flavour.
- Cook your green beans in the pasta water before you cook the pasta or steam them over the pasta water.
- Heat olive oil in a pan, add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the garlic oil and sautee until softened. Season with salt and pepper and a pinch of chili flakes. Set tomatoes aside in a bowl, leaving any oil in the pan.
- Cook your pasta until al dente and set aside about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Blend 1 cup of the corn kernels, the garlic oil from the pan, the vegan cream, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, 1 tbsp of pasta water and salt and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the sauce back into the pan and toss the cooked pasta through it. Add a splash of extra pasta water if needed to get your sauce to the consistency you desire.
- Add the green beans, tomatoes, and the remaining corn kernels to the pasta.
- Serve immediately, sprinkled with toasted breadcrumbs and fresh basil.
Tips and Tricks
- Feel free to experiment with different types of vegan cream.
- For extra flavour, try roasting the tomatoes before adding them to the pasta.
- Don't forget to season your pasta water generously.
Make it your own
This recipe is a blank canvas, feel free to adapt it, add more or less of certain items. If you try this at home please tag me on Instagram using the #yourtag and @yourhandle, I'd love to see your version!
So there you have it – a simple yet incredibly satisfying vegan creamy corn pasta. It's the perfect meal for when you want something comforting, healthy, and delicious. Happy cooking, friends!