Penne with Corn and Spicy Sausage

There are so many things to say about this pasta, so hang on to your hats. I saw Giada DeLaurentiis make this on her show and instantly fell in love. I also knew only one bite of this stuff would be necessary, because it's a decadence overload! Know this: if you need a dish with less than roughly 500 calories a serving, this is not your dish. Now let's get on to the good stuff! 
 
On her show, Giada used Calabrian chile paste in this dish to spice it up. Since I could not find it at my local grocery store, I chose to use the spicy Italian sausage (as indicated in Giada's original recipe) and added a little crushed red pepper flake for additional heat. If you have the notion to buy the chile paste it can be found on amazon.com and I'm sure it's delicious! It is described as a mixture of hot peppers, basil, salt and pepper. This dish already contains all of those elements, so I felt it wasn't worth the wait for such a seldom-used specialty ingredient. 

I also chose cream cheese when Giada opted for mascarpone. If you're familiar with mascarpone, you know that it is not a cheese at all, but rather a cream thickened with acid; slightly sweet and creamy, often used in desserts like tiramisu. I am not opposed to mascarpone (other than the higher price you pay) but our old friend cream cheese also fits the bill nicely.

With all the technical stuff out of the way, let's talk about the most important thing...FLAVOR. Because this dish packs a flavor punch like no other: spicy Italian sausage, sweet corn, creamy cheese with a little hit of sweet, peppery fresh basil finish. I sent some home with my friend, Rich, who texted me when he was eating it "whatever that corn pasta s**t was is awesome." He's so eloquent. However, in this case, he's right! I usually recommend all things in moderation - including this pasta - although I promise you can't stop at just one bite.

Penne with Corn and Spicy Sausage (adapted from foodnetwork.com)

1 lb. penne pasta
1 T. olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 lb. spicy Italian sausage (KC friends, try Scimeca brand)
1 t. crushed red pepper flakes
2 c. frozen corn, thawed (Trader Joe's fire-roasted corn, anyone?)
1 t. salt (plus more for salting pasta water)
8 oz. low fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 c. fresh basil, finely chopped

Cook the pasta in well salted water according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1 c. pasta water. Drain the pasta then set aside. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat and add the onion. Saute the onion for 5 minutes then add the sausage, breaking it up into small bits as it cooks. When the sausage is cooked through add the crushed red pepper, corn, salt and cream cheese. Cook and stir until the cream cheese is totally melted into the sausage mixture. Add the sausage mixture to the pan with the pasta along with the reserved pasta water (I used about 3/4 c.) and Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat the pasta. Divide among 6 bowls and garnish with basil. Eat one of the bowls, then later blame it on the cat, or dog, growing boy, or husband; basically any other usual suspects you have running around the house.

6 servings (722 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com