finding time for cooking

for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

  • Recipes By Type
    • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Goodies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes & Veggies
    • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
    • Snacks
    • Full Recipe Index
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
    • Best Cocktail Gifts: For the At-Home Bartender or Mixologist
  • Whatcha Need??
    • Foods I’m Obsessed With
    • 30 Minutes or Less…for the Time-Challenged Cook
    • What Bread To Make (Based on Your Time)
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Super Healthy
    • Cooking for One
    • Soup
    • Unleavened Bread Recipes
  • About Me & More
    • Get In Touch!
    • How-Tos
    • Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With
    • Food and Travel—Two of My Favorite Things
    • Bunion Surgery Recovery Tips
    • Tips for Liver Detox / Gut Health Protocol

Creamy Sweet Corn & Chicken Sausage Pasta

July 3, 2016

It’s sweet corn season!!!

Creamy Sweet Corn & Sausage Pasta

I was so stoked when my CSA box this week included four ears of sweet corn.  Fresh corn is the best.  It can be a side dish, elevate even the most mundane pasta, and even become a dessert (and yes, you better believe this is happening in the near future).

creamy sweet corn & sausage pasta corn sliced

In fact, I was so excited about the first corn of the season that I actually cooked on a Saturday night.  That may not sound earth-shattering, but anyone who knows me knows that Saturday night is reserved for Chinese food.  Specifically, one of three dishes from House of Chan five minutes from my house.  I call at around 5:02, pick it up 15 minutes later, and am comfortably ensconced on my couch shortly thereafter.  So for me to choose cooking on a Saturday night is pretty major.

Creamy Sweet Corn & Sausage Pasta finished

And this pasta is totally worth it.  The sweet corn, summer squash, and onions meld with the mascarpone, Parmesan, and starchy water to make a comforting yet not heavy-feeling chunky sauce that covers the noodles and sausage for the perfect pasta marriage.  Add a little fresh basil and I’m in heaven.  The fact that it all came together in less than half an hour?  Even better.

creamy sweet corn & sausage pasta sausages cooked

Timing-wise, if you start the sausage around the same time as you start boiling the water, everything should come together on the right schedule.

Boil a large pot of water, then add salt and the pasta.  Cook according to the package directions, until al dente (typically 7-9 minutes).  Make sure to reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, since this is what makes your sauce amazing.  Then drain the remaining water.

While the pasta is cooking, get everything else going.  Slice the sausage links into discs and cook on medium with a tablespoon of olive oil, until they’re crispy and golden.  Set them aside in a large bowl (big enough to hold everything and toss the pasta, why dirty another dish?).

creamy sweet corn & sausage pasta onion

In the same pan, cook the yellow onion for a minute.

creamy sweet corn & sausage pasta squash

Then add the squash and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the squash has softened somewhat.

creamy sweet corn & sausage pasta onion squash cooking

This is a good time to add a tiny bit of sriracha or chili paste (the original recipe calls for sambal chili paste).  Just a tiny bit is good, you’re not looking to add actual spice or heat, but rather just a hint of depth to the sweet vegetables we have here.  Add the minced garlic too.

Finally, stir in the corn, salt, and pepper.  Cook until the corn is warm, about 2 minutes, it won’t take long.  Transfer everything in the pan to the giant bowl as well, and now we’re ready to rock and roll.

creamy sweet corn & sausage pasta parmesan

Add dollops of the mascarpone to the sausage and veggies in your giant bowl and then pour in the hot pasta.  Drizzle in about half of the remaining pasta water and toss to coat everything—you should have an awesome silky sauce now.  Add the Parmesan and toss again, using more of the pasta water if you need it (I didn’t).

creamy sweet corn & sausage pasta basil

Finally, add the basil and lightly toss again.

creamy sweet corn & sausage pasta parmesan basil tossed

Creamy Sweet Corn & Sausage Pasta bowl

Serve hot.  I mean, this is amazing.  Seriously good.  Pretty awesome leftovers too.

Creamy Sweet Corn & Chicken Sausage Pasta

  • 12 ounces of pasta (I used rigatoni)
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 package of chicken sausage links (can also use ground sausage)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 small or medium summer squash (zucchini is fine too)
  • 2 cups of fresh or frozen (thawed) corn; not canned!
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon of sriracha (or chili paste)
  • 8 ounces of mascarpone
  • 1-2 teaspoons of minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup of fresh basil, chiffonade
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Timing-wise, if you start the sausage around the same time as you start boiling the water, everything should come together on the right schedule.

Boil a large pot of water, then add salt and the pasta.  Cook according to the package directions, until al dente (typically 7-9 minutes).  Make sure to reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, as it will make your sauce amazing.  Then drain the remaining water.

While the pasta is cooking, make the rest of the dish.  Slice the sausage links into discs and cook on medium with a tablespoon of olive oil, until crispy and golden on each side.  Place in a large bowl (large enough to hold everything including the pasta) and set aside.

In the same pan, cook the yellow onion for a minute and then add the squash.  Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the squash has softened somewhat.  This is a good time to add the sriracha—just a tiny bit is good, you’re not looking to add spice, but rather just a hint of depth.  Add the minced garlic here as well.  Finally, stir in the corn, salt, and pepper.  Cook until the corn is warm, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the bowl as well.

Add the mascarpone to the sausage and veggies (breaking it into dollops helps), then pour in the hot pasta and drizzle in about half of the remaining pasta water.  Toss to coat everything in the now-silky sauce.  Add the Parmesan and toss again, using more of the pasta water if you need it (I didn’t).  Finally, add the basil and lightly toss again.  Serve hot.

Recipe adapted from A Dash of Sanity

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Foods I'm Obsessed With, Recipe Experimentation

« Jam Streusel Coffee Cake
Eating My Way Through Istanbul: Exploration »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

Follow Along!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent IG Adventures!

A lot of people don't realize how easy & cheap it A lot of people don't realize how easy & cheap it is to make your own kombucha at home...you can have an entire gallon for less than the cost of one bottle at the store! 

I can't even keep a bamboo plant alive, yet have managed to keep the same "scoby" starter healthy & active for well over a decade. 

Here are easy step-by-step instructions for making your own kombucha at home, & the tools you'll need to do so! Tap the link in my IG bio (@findingtimeforcooking) & click on this photo to see the whole post.
#homemadekombucha #kombuchabrewing #healthyguthappylife #scoby
I'm not generally a soup person, though I'm trying I'm not generally a soup person, though I'm trying to be more 🍜 But this Turkish corba (a spiced red lentil soup) has always been one of my exceptions.  It's CRAZY easy to make, full of veggies and the protein from the lentils, and just feels like a warm hug in a bowl!  A great vegetarian dinner idea, perfect on any detox protocol, and just a great cozy recipe for the winter months.

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe!
#corba #redlentils #souprecipe #drcabraldetox
Today, we FANCY. But also lazy. When I first saw a Today, we FANCY. But also lazy. When I first saw a recipe for the "lazy person's kouign amann", I was intrigued...and it definitely lives up to the hype! The texture isn't quite the same as the much more time-consuming and complex authentic French pastry it's hacking, but it's darn close and absolutely delicious. 

To see the recipe, tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#kouignamann #frenchpastries #bakingfromscratch #frenchbaking
This spiced chicken shawarma is 👌 *chef’s kis This spiced chicken shawarma is 👌 *chef’s kiss* and will make your house smell amazing! It’s super easy & healthy, and a great meal option on the #drcabraldetox or #fatlossity protocol! Pairs well with hummus, cauliflower rice, salad, & more.

See the full recipe amounts at https://findingtimeforcooking.com/main-dishes/amazing-easy-chicken-shawarma/ (& leave out cornstarch & oil for those protocols). 

#healthyrecipes #chickenshawarma #shawarmalovers #winnerwinnerchickendinner #chickenthighs #chickenthighrecipes #easydinners #easydinnerideas #foodblogfeed #equilibriumnutrition #detoxrecipes #dinnerrecipes
ONION PAKORAS!! And without a deep fryer. This one ONION PAKORAS!! And without a deep fryer. This one has been a long time coming...pakoras have been a major comfort food for me for ages, but this recipe was tricky to get right. But now when a craving strikes, I can have these onion pakoras on the table in about 20 minutes! 

Tap the link in my IG bio & pick this photo to see the (easy) recipe --> @findingtimeforcooking
#pakora #indianfoodlovers #appetizersfordinner #onionpakoda
These fig & walnut biscotti are subtly spiced, wit These fig & walnut biscotti are subtly spiced, with little crackles from the fig seeds and lovely bright orange zest coming through! 

To get the recipe, tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo! @findingtimeforcooking
#biscotti #easybaking #biscottirecipe #foodblogfeed
Why not start the year with a perfect cold weather Why not start the year with a perfect cold weather sip? The Caribou cocktail is a cozy French-Canadian drink that's a great option for winter or fall. Shout-out to my coworker Branda for introducing me to this super easy, delicious port (or red wine) & rye whiskey cocktail! 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to get the (30-second) recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#cocktailrecipe #WinterCocktails #redwine #ryewhiskey #cocktails #cocktail #portwine #maplesyrupseason #cozycocktails #foodblogfeed #easycocktails #3ingredientcocktails #drinkrecipes #winterdrinks
Cozy creamy curried carrot soup 🥕 (say that fiv Cozy creamy curried carrot soup 🥕 (say that five times fast!). This was the perfect antidote to the nasty winter "bomb cyclone" nonsense we just had...carrots are definitely the star, but the creamy coconut milk, bite of ginger, & warmth from the curry powder elevate it from simple to sublime 😍 

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe for this easy 30-minute meal! --> @findingtimeforcooking
#meatlessmonday #soupseason #soupoftheday #carrotsoup
This fluffy, fragrant turmeric rice is my new stap This fluffy, fragrant turmeric rice is my new staple for any kind of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern meal. It's crazy easy and the texture is the best that I've come across...this rice with a pile of chicken shawarma or spiced ground beef is a comfort food fave! Perfect for this nasty freezing "bomb cyclone" storm we're having. 

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this pic to get the recipe!
#turmericrice #sidedish #mediterraneanfood #ricerecipes
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Popular Posts

“Crack” Beef & Cabbage Stir Fry

How To Make Caramelized White Chocolate (“Blonde Chocolate”)

Chicken with Creamy Feta Sauce

Healthy Apple Butter Pancakes

Easy Turkish Bazlama (Flatbread)

Recent Posts

  • How To Make Kombucha: Tips & Tools For Easy H…
  • The Lazy Person’s Kouign Amann
  • Super Easy Onion Pakoras (Without a Deep Fryer)…

Categories

  • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
  • Bread Recipes
  • Breakfast Goodies
  • Cooking for One
  • Desserts
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
  • Eating Out
  • Family Secret Recipes
  • Food-Related Miscellany
  • Foods I'm Obsessed With
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Go-To Recipes
  • How-Tos
  • Kitchen Gear
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe Experimentation
  • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
  • Side Dishes & Veggies
  • Snacks
  • Soup
  • Super Healthy
  • Travel and Food
  • Uncategorized

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Copyright & Terms of Use

Copyright 2022 Finding Time For Cooking

3 shares