Whip Up a Quick and Creamy Pasta Delight Tonight!
Are you looking for a quick and delicious dinner option that will have your family asking for seconds? This creamy pasta dish that combines simplicity with rich flavors. With just a few ingredients and less than 25 minutes, you can create a meal that not only satisfies your taste buds but also brings your family together for quality time. Whether you're a busy parent or simply someone who loves to cook, this recipe is perfect for you.
To get started, you'll need to cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare a luscious Cotija cheese sauce. Begin by sautéing onions in a mixture of butter and olive oil until they are soft. Next, add heavy whipping cream (or half-and-half if that's what you have on hand), mayonnaise, and Cotija cheese, letting everything meld into a rich, creamy sauce. For an added twist, incorporate roasted corn and black pepper before mixing in your cooked pasta. This combination of flavors and textures is sure to make this dish a family favorite.
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Don't have Cotija cheese? Parmesan works just as well. Out of spaghetti? Any pasta in your pantry will do the trick. You can even customize the dish with toppings like finely chopped cilantro, green onions, or additional roasted corn. This recipe not only allows for creativity but also emphasizes the importance of spending time with loved ones. So the next time you're rushing to get dinner on the table, remember that a quick, creamy pasta can be the perfect solution to bring everyone together for a delightful meal.
Ingredients:
Enough water to boil pasta
Spaghetti (or any pasta of your choice)
2-3 cups of heavy whipping cream (or half and half or crema fresca mexicana)
½ cup of mayonnaise
½ cup of Cotija cheese (or Parmesan cheese)
2 cups of roasted corn
½ onion finely chopped
1 tablespoon of butter
A little bit of olive oil
Black pepper to taste
Optional toppings: finely chopped cilantro, green onions, more roasted corn, more Cotija cheese, Tajín seasoning
Instructions:
Cook your spaghetti (or any pasta you have) as per the instructions on the package. Once cooked, set it aside.
Use an air fryer to roast your corn. If you don't have an air fryer, you can roast it on the stovetop or in the oven.
In a large pan, melt 1 teaspoon of butter over medium heat. Add a little bit of olive oil to prevent the butter from burning. Sauté the chopped onions in the butter and olive oil for about 2-3 minutes until they are soft.
Add 2 cups of heavy whipping cream to the softened onions. If you don't have heavy whipping cream, you can use half and half or crema fresca mexicana. Stir in ½ cup of mayonnaise until it is fully dissolved and incorporated into the cream.
Add ½ cup of Cotija cheese to the cream sauce. If you don't have Cotija cheese, you can use Parmesan cheese. Add 2 cups of roasted corn. Season with a little bit of black pepper.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the cream sauce. - Mix well to ensure every noodle is coated with the creamy sauce.
Taste and adjust the salt if necessary. The cheese and mayonnaise usually provide enough salt. Let everything warm up for about 2 minutes over low heat.
If you are preparing this ahead of time, save half a cup of pasta water. When you reheat the pasta, use this water to loosen the sauce and maintain its creaminess.
Serve the creamy pasta immediately. Optionally, garnish with finely chopped cilantro, green onions, extra roasted corn, more Cotija cheese, or Tajín seasoning.
Tips
-Feel free to use any type of pasta you have on hand.
-This dish is flexible and can be customized with additional ingredients based on your preference.
Spending quality time with family is the most important part of any meal. Enjoy your creamy, delicious Mexican street corn pasta!
Just made this tonight and it turned out great! I did add some green chiles to the sauce and shredded some rotisserie chicken to mix in at the end. I'll definitely be making this many times in the future.