• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. • Core, deseed, and finely dice bell pepper. Drain corn and pat dry with paper towels. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Mince half the jalapeño (whole jalapeño for 4 servings), removing ribs and seeds for less heat.

• Once water is boiling, add penne to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water (1 cup for 4 servings), then drain. Rinse shrimp under cold water. Pat shrimp or chicken dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp or chicken; cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, 3-4 minutes for shrimp or 4-6 minutes for chicken. Turn off heat; transfer to a plate. Wipe out pan.

• While pasta cooks, heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add bell pepper and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5-7 minutes. TIP: If bell pepper starts to char, add a few splashes of water. Use pan used for shrimp or chicken here.

• Add a drizzle of oil and corn to pan with the bell pepper. Cook until corn is lightly charred, 2-3 minutes. • Add scallion whites, garlic powder, half the oregano (all for 4 servings), and minced jalapeño to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 2-3 minutes. • Remove from heat. Stir in half the paprika (all for 4). • Transfer 1/4 of the veggie mixture to a plate; reserve for serving.

• Return pan with remaining veggies to stovetop over low heat. Stir in drained penne, cream sauce base, cream cheese, half the pepper jack, half the scallion greens, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta cooking water (1/2 cup for 4 servings). Cook, stirring, until cream cheese is just melted and pasta is coated in a creamy sauce. (For 4, if pan is too small, carefully transfer everything to empty pot used for pasta.) • Remove from heat; stir in 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4) until melted. Taste and season generously with salt and pepper. TIP: If needed, stir in more reserved cooking water a splash at a time. Stir in shrimp or chicken along with drained penne.

• Divide pasta between bowls. Top with reserved veggies and remaining pepper jack. Garnish with remaining scallion greens and serve. Chicken is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 165º.