Low-Carb Corn And Basil Pasta

LOW-CARB CORN AND BASIL PASTA

Sometimes, the best dishes are easy meals with just a few fresh ingredients that come together perfectly. Now, you might not think of corn in a pasta dish, but we promise once you try it, you'll see it's an ideal combination. This summery pasta dish is a great way to use ears of corn.

We use sweet corn off the cob, fresh basil, and It’s Skinny Spaghetti for a low-carb corn and basil pasta recipe that will be your FAVORITE! Prepare to fall in love!

CORN AND BASIL: SUMMER’S BEST

We would argue that nothing is as delicious as corn in the summer months. Corn on the cob is a delight that pleases almost any crowd. If your grocery store has fresh corn, pick some up and try this yummy creamy sweet corn pasta. It's one of our favorite summer recipes (but it's good any time of year).

You might not think of sweet summer corn in an Italian dish like pasta, and well, that's because corn is a food native to the United States and South America. That said, it's now grown on every continent except for Antarctica. It's used in many different foods and products—from cakes and cookies to packaging materials and plastics.

As the production of corn has increased and spread throughout the world, many cooks have incorporated it into their recipes. You might see corn in ramen, Spanish tapas dishes, and, yes, Italian pasta.

We can attest that sweet corn kernels, basil, and parmesan pair together perfectly. Creamy cheese goes so well with corn (think of the popular dish elote). A fresh green herb like basil really brightens things up and makes this taste so fresh from the garden.

Corn is higher in carbohydrates than many other vegetables, so it's essential to keep it in moderation. An ear of corn has about 26 grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of fiber. It’s that fiber that makes corn a healthy choice. Corn also has many vitamins, including B6 and manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and iron.

If you’re going to splurge on a little corn, we suggest going for the best, freshest corn on the cob you can get! It’s well worth the time and effort to get some really flavorful corn for this recipe. Corn on the cob is best when it's freshly picked. That's because the moment corn is harvested from the stalk, the sugars start turning to starch. Removing the husk even speeds up the process, so you should plan to buy and eat fresh corn within about two days.

Now, as much as we’re encouraging fresh corn in this recipe, you could use frozen corn if corn is out of season. One area where you shouldn’t settle for less-than-fresh is the basil!

Fresh basil is crucial for the flavors of this dish. Look for sweet basil or Genovese basil to get that Italian flavor—a little peppery, a little licoricey, herbal, and sweet. Basil has many health benefits, including high levels of protective vitamin K. Basil is thought to be good for your blood sugar, heart, immune system, and brain.

Dry basil just doesn’t pack the same punch as fresh, so we suggest getting your hands on some fresh basil leaves, no matter the season. With so few ingredients in this dish, it makes a big difference!

IT’S SKINNY SPAGHETTI: A CARB COUNTER’S DREAM!

Thanks to It’s Skinny, you can still enjoy this gluten-free pasta dish without feeling guilty about indulging with a little corn. It’s Skinny Spaghetti has ZERO net carbs and only 9 calories per 2-serving pack!

It’s Skinny helps you remake all your favorite dishes keto-friendly style because you can have pasta and rice without breaking the carb bank. Yes, that's right, we make It’s Skinny Rice too!

It's Skinny is available in both organic and traditional varieties. These shirataki noodles are ideal for swapping in any dish. It has the texture of pasta and rice. It's ultra-low-calorie, plant-based, kosher, gluten-free, and so healthy.

But most importantly, unlike some types of shirataki noodles, It's Skinny doesn't have a strong taste or smell. With a quick rinse and dry, the noodles are ready to add to any of your favorite dishes. They take on the flavors of the surrounding ingredients and go with just about any meal or recipe. It's Skinny cooks up in no time flat, just 2-3 minutes to heat through and you're ready to enjoy a delicious pasta or rice dish of your dreams. Don't wait to cook pasta, trying to get it al dente and perfect. It's Skinny just requires you to open, heat, and enjoy!

So what’s shirataki? Shirataki noodles refer to noodles that are made with konjac root. Konjac is a vegetable that’s very high in fiber. We use konjac to create our delicious line of pasta and rice.

Choose from many different styles:

• Rice
• Angel Hair
• Fettuccine
• Spaghetti

We offer organic and traditional varieties of each style. You can also get a variety pack if you'd like to have all the styles to see which goes best with your favorite recipes. It’s Skinny makes it easy to enjoy meals, whether you’re on keto, paleo, or any other low-carb meal plan. It’s perfect for a low-calorie diet too.

Order It’s Skinny today! When you get your first pack, we encourage you to consider this low-carb corn and basil pasta recipe. It’s guaranteed to make an It’s Skinny convert out of anybody! It's one of our favorite creamy pasta recipes (without the cream)!

QUESTIONS ABOUT CORN AND BASIL PASTA

Do you have some questions about this yummy recipe? Cooking is always a chance to discover new methods and new flavor combos, but sometimes, we all need some guidance. Here are a few answers to some common questions about low-carb corn and basil pasta.

CAN I USE FROZEN CORN?

As we mentioned before, you are more than welcome to use frozen corn in this recipe. Fresh sweet corn is seriously worth the effort, but the season is short (and you’ll want to enjoy this yummy pasta dish all year round). If you’re intimidated by removing the corn from the cob, don’t be—it’s so easy! Use a sharp knife and work on a shallow bowl or plate to catch the kernels.

However, if you can’t get your hands on fresh corn, don’t fret. Look for frozen sweet corn and use it here. It will still be delicious. We suggest avoiding canned corn, which can be a little tinny and less fresh tasting (but if you must, then you must).

CAN I ADD ANY OTHER VEGETABLES TO THIS DISH?

This is such a simple main course dish with just a few main ingredients, but if you want to sneak in a few additional vegetables, we’re in full support! You could add some grilled zucchini, cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, spinach, or kale. The focus here is on the ears of corn, but you can add any other veggies you like.

If you want to ramp up the flavors in this dish, some sauteed onions or fresh green onions would be a nice addition. Garlic would also pair well with the corn and basil. You could finely dice a hot pepper or some sweet red bell peppers for this dish as well. You can add some red pepper flakes or chili flakes if you like, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to keep it bright. Add any other fresh herbs you like, too--this recipe is versatile!

CAN I OMIT OR SWAP THE CHEESE?

Parmesan adds a perfect cheesy nuttiness to this dish, which we think is fantastic. The cheese makes the pasta sauce a little creamy, too. However, if you are following a vegan or dairy-free diet (or you don't have Parmesan on hand), you can omit the cheese from this dish. You could instead add some chopped avocado, nutritional yeast, or another dairy-free cheese swap.

If you want to experiment with other cheese options, this easy pasta recipe is nice with feta. It also works really well with melty cheese like mozzarella or a little bit of goat cheese. You could use cream cheese if you want to create more of a creamy sauce in this dish, too.

RECIPE FOR SPAGHETTI WITH CORN AND BASIL

Are you ready to get this savory summer dish together? It's so easy and delicious. Made with fresh ingredients, this creamy corn pasta recipe is a great, bright dish to enjoy when corn is in season (swap with frozen corn if you’re craving it on a winter day). It’s ready in no time—just 10 minutes and you can enjoy!