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Cream Cheese Pasta with Corn and Spinach Recipe

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4.2 from 51 reviews

Cream cheese pasta with corn and spinach is a quick and creamy vegetarian pasta dish that combines tender pasta with a luscious cream cheese sauce, sweet corn, and nutritious spinach. Perfect for a comforting meal ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe balances creamy richness with a hint of spice from chili flakes and garlic.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Pasta and Sauce

  • 400 grams uncooked pasta
  • 1.5 cups cream cheese
  • Water (for cooking pasta and adjusting sauce consistency)

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 1 cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup sweet corn kernels (canned or frozen)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • Ground black pepper to taste
  • Salt to taste

Oils

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
  2. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, place the cream cheese and gradually whisk in about 1/4 cup increments of the reserved pasta water until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
  3. Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the minced garlic, and sauté for about one minute until fragrant.
  4. Cook Corn and Spices: Add the sweet corn kernels to the pan along with chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Sauté until the corn is cooked through and slightly tender.
  5. Add Spinach: Stir in the chopped spinach and sauté until the leaves wilt and soften.
  6. Combine Cream Cheese Sauce: Pour the prepared cream cheese mixture into the pan and cook while continuously stirring for around 2 minutes until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
  7. Mix Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss thoroughly to combine all ingredients. Adjust the sauce thickness by adding more pasta water, cream, or milk as needed.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and additional chili flakes for garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy corn and spinach pasta.

Notes

  • Use fresh or frozen spinach depending on availability; both work well in this recipe.
  • Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps in achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
  • If the sauce is too thick, adding a splash of cream or milk can help loosen it.
  • This dish can be made vegan by substituting cream cheese with a plant-based alternative.
  • For added protein, consider topping with grilled chicken or tofu.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/cream-cheese-pasta-with-corn-and-spinach-recipe/