Sweet Corn and Scallop Pasta Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Lilly

So perfectly cooked scallops returned to the pan until the sauce thickens? Over cooked scallops (especially how expensive they are for good ones) waste my time, effort and money.I like the recipe, will be making it this week but I'll be returning the scallops to the pan after the liquid is absorbed and the sauce thickens. Hopefully perfectly seared scallops and a luscious pasta dish.

Toddie

I would love to see the ear of corn that will yield one cup of kernels

Andrew

I cut the corn off the cob first, then throw the cobs into the water you are gonna cook the pasta in! Adds additional corn flavor to the pasta!

Susan Waxter

Toddie-- here in Maryland right now, each ear is at least a cup!

lieztche

If allergic to shellfish, instead of scallops, I would personally choose sea bass. It also has a very light, buttery taste, and if you cut into small pieces (like the scallops), I think it would turn out similarly. However, having said that, I would have a difficult time “ruining” a whole piece of delicious sea bass, so I might opt instead to make the pasta, minus the small seafood pieces, then serve over or alongside the sea bass. Either way, I think you’d have a lovely meal. Best of luck!

Cristina D

Made this tonight and it was excellent. For those that were concerned about overcooking the scallops - they don’t spend much time over heat for the second go around and mine held up well. I chopped half and kept half intact to top the pasta with. Added in some grape tomatoes to the corn mixture and would consider wilting in arugula next time. Will definitely make again! For those who cannot eat shellfish, sable fish tastes similar to sea bass and may work (and is more reasonably priced).

Jonathan

Do you really need a full pound of pasta? For one pound of scallops I feel one half or two-thirds pound would do at the most

Randy

This was delicious. I followed the recipe and it came out beautifully, but as others have said, doubling the corn and scallions would make it even better. I see some notes fretting about adding the chopped scallops during the stirring step. I did it and I'll do it again. All it did was bring them back up to temperature.

Alice

Given the difference in price between sea scallops and bay scallops and that the sea scallops are chopped into ½-pieces after being sautéed, why not just use bay scallops?

Dottie Jeffries

I made this dish without the pasta and cheese allowing the scallops and corn to flourish. I used a Meyer lemon that added a sweet tang. And I was generous with the basil. Delicious. Had no idea that corn and scallops compliment each other so well - a point well made in the recipe.

Deborah Hoffman

I just bought fresh gulf shrimp, and since I live in Iowa, have amazing corn. Excited to try this with shrimp substitution.

Michael

Skate used to be served by unscrupulous restaurants as scallops, so yes, it would be a good substitution, as would monkfish, known as poor man's lobster. Monkfish is probably easier to find and is delicious.

Sarah Nettleton

I made this recipe iin Maine with fresh Scallops and corn It was delicious. And I added Chantrelles, picked in the woods for a flavor spruce up. Summer magic.

Paul Z

Didn't have shells, so I used orecchiete. Seared scallops in a regular (not non-stick) skillet. Forgot to reserve pasta water (quel horreur!) so added 2 extra tbsp of butter and 1/2 cup tap water. This *still* came out great! Plenty of scallop and corn flavor, and the scallops weren't overcooked at all. Will go into the rotation.

Linda Rodolff

Made this today. Only difference was to add a little cream to the sauce. We did enjoy it. A shame I can’t add a picture

Susan

To c!ut the carbs, use roasted spaghetti squash for part of the noodles. Still will be delicious - but healthier

ally

This was made as directed and was very tasty. The scallops were not rubbery at all when added at the very end. Made with rigatoni which had a nice moth feel and held the luscious sauce

a cook from Toronto

This might be a good recipe for feeding people who don’t like scallops. They kinda got lost in the mix, tasty as it was. One ear of corn yielded just over one cup and I used about 5 ounces of pasta for two people, which was just right for a big eater and a moderate eater. Used a 340 gram pkg of frozen scallops. They did not overcook when added back into the mix.

Cynthia Harris

The addition of 1-2 tsp of dry sherry to the pan before cooking the corn and scallions both deglazes the pan and adds richness to the flavor of the dish.

MJ

Easy and tasty. Don’t hold back on the basil or Parmesan.

geteb

Mmmm good - simply delicious as is. Tweaked the ingredients just a bit - for 1/2 the recipe:6 ozs pasta (trumpets)8 ozs scallops (6 sea scallops)3 ears of cornsubbed garden shallots for the scallions & threw in a couple of my first-of-the-season garden tomatoesSoooo delicious.

Christa

This was absolutely divine on a sweltering summer evening with fresh corn and basil from the local farmstand and truly fresh scallops smelling of the sea from my beloved and dear local fishmonger--what an utter delight without being heavy. Truly a delight and will definitely make again.

jparteach

This is a keeper. I did add sautéed mushrooms, and substituted shallots for the green onions (they don’t agree with me), but otherwise followed the recipe. Next time I will, as some suggested, leave some of the scallops whole. I couldn’t get fresh sea scallops.I used frozen and they were excellent.

pam d

I made this close to the recipe as printed. Only add were some sautéed mushrooms (shredded maitake). Would make 2 changes next time:1. Use bay scallops OR leave the beautiful day scallops I had whole or halved…2. Would add a bit of pancetta or bacon to the corn saute - scallops, corn, pancetta or bacon would be a killer combination - add another level of depth to the dish’s flavor.But as is, with fresh sweet corn, fabulous scallops and high quality pasta the dish was a hit.

diana

Made mostly as directed except had to sub some shallot for the scallions. I had some roasted tomatoes so stirred a couple in at the end. Delicious!

elgoodbill

We liked this dish when I first made it, but I agree with the comments of many. I’ve made it again a few times with a couple changes. This isn’t the dish for the perfect super-huge/super-expensive scallops, but it’s a great use for the ones from Costco. Sear them in the pan first, then finish the rest of the dish in that same pan and add the scallop slices at the end and just warm through without overcooking too much. Also, increase to two or three ears of corn and cut WAY back on the pasta.

thomaswestside

We made this dish tonight and enjoyed it. I echo other observations about adding some punch, perhaps onions, wine, and pancetta, but for our family it did check al of the boxes.

Ines

Lacks a bit of punch in the flavour. I'm thinking some sherry might spruce it up a bit.

Cynthia Harris

It does! I usually add sherry to any creamy seafood dish and thought this was close enough to qualify. Definitely enhanced the flavor!

lp

I made this recipe without alteration, and I was surprised by how good it is, how the corn and scallops wind up perfectly balanced. I think what several commenters miss is that cooks are to return the scallops, water, corn, and pasta to the *pot* (cooled by that point), not the pan for the final steps. It all works out beautifully. Delicious.

Chip

This was pretty bland and a bit disappointing. Following other comments, I boosted the amount of corn and scallions, added a a few grinds of black pepper, and added another tablespoon of butter at the end to enliven the sauce. Agree with other commenters that you need to add the scallops back the the pan at the very end - even so, the residual heat cooked them more than I would have liked.

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Sweet Corn and Scallop Pasta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to perfect scallops? ›

The secret is that you just pat them dry (buy dry-packed scallops), season with salt and pepper, and put them in a hot pan coated with oil and you leave them alone. Don't touch them. Don't move them.

Should you flour scallops before cooking? ›

Some cooks will toss their scallops in a light dusting of flour or cornstarch before cooking. This is simply to add a little bit more crustiness to the exterior. It is not a necessary step, but some prefer to do this. You could try a few scallops dredged in a light coating and leave a few alone to see which you prefer.

Should you cook scallops in butter or oil? ›

Scallops are low-fat and high in protein with lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. While I recommend cooking them in butter for the best sear, you can cook them in vegetable, canola or grapeseed oil if preferred.

What is the best pan for searing scallops? ›

Scallops cook very quickly, so the best way to get a good sear is to start with a very hot pan. We recommend searing scallops in a stainless-steel or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet; beginners can start with a nonstick skillet, which provides extra insurance that your scallops won't stick or tear.

Why do you soak scallops in milk before cooking? ›

Scallops, like many other types of seafood, can have a mild fishy odor that some people find off-putting. Soaking scallops in milk before cooking can help alleviate this odor. Milk can neutralize or mask the fishy smell, resulting in a milder scent.

What to put on scallops when cooking? ›

Scallops need little more than butter or olive oil, seasoning, fresh herbs, and a few minutes on the stovetop before they're golden, and ready to served. It's that easy.

What do you soak scallops in before cooking? ›

According to Molly Birnbaum of America's Test Kitchen, briefly brining scallops masks the chemically and slightly soapy taste imparted by the phosphate soak: “Soak them in 1 quart of cold water with 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of salt for 30 minutes.

Should scallops be room temp before cooking? ›

Remove and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Heat a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. To check if the pan is hot enough, add a large drop of water (⅛ teaspoon) to the skillet. When you can roll it around the pan, it's ready.

What happens if you don't rinse scallops before cooking? ›

A: You should always rinse scallops thoroughly to remove grit, but there shouldn't be so much grit that you have to soak them. In fact, soaking isn't recommended because the scallops can absorb water and get soggy, less flavorful and difficult to sear properly.

How to season scallops for cooking? ›

Pat the scallops very dry with paper towels, then season on one side with salt and pepper RIGHT before cooking and no sooner. Carefully place the scallops in the hot oil, seasoned side down, and let cook, undisturbed for about 2 minutes or until nicely browned around the bottom. Season the other side while they cook.

How many scallops per person? ›

How many scallops should you serve? If you're serving scallops as a main course with sides, plan on around 6 ounces per person. That would be 4-6 large (U10) sea scallops and 8-10 medium sized.

Why won't my scallops sear? ›

High Heat – Make sure your skillet or griddle is fully heated. If added too early the scallops will stick the pan. The oil should be slightly bubbling and dancing. If the pan isn't hot enough, you will steam the scallops instead of searing them.

Should I salt scallops before searing? ›

Thoroughly drying the scallops by salting them and blotting with paper towels gives you a nice dry surface that browns far more efficiently. Using a heavy pan over extremely high heat guarantees a thick crust without overcooking the center.

How to cook scallops like a pro? ›

Instructions
  1. Remove the side muscles from the scallops if needed. ...
  2. Pat dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. ...
  3. Heat the pan. ...
  4. Add the scallops to the pan. ...
  5. Cook the scallops for 2 minutes, then flip. ...
  6. Cook the scallops for another 2 to 3 minutes. ...
  7. Serve immediately.
Dec 21, 2023

How long to soak scallops before cooking? ›

According to Molly Birnbaum of America's Test Kitchen, briefly brining scallops masks the chemically and slightly soapy taste imparted by the phosphate soak: “Soak them in 1 quart of cold water with 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of salt for 30 minutes.

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