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Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing

Delicious Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing

This Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 305

Ingredients
  

For the Salad Base
  • 8 oz Orecchiette Pasta or fusilli or farfalle as substitutes
  • 2 ears Corn Kernels fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup Red Bell Pepper diced
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Basil Pesto store-bought or homemade
  • 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt or sour cream
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise use vegan mayo for plant-based
  • 2 tbsp Lime Juice fresh squeezed
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
Optional Garnishes
  • 4 slices Bacon cooked and chopped
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro chopped

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Colander
  • Skillet
  • Medium Bowl
  • Mason Jar
  • large mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions for about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine basil pesto, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and lime juice. Whisk until smooth and adjust thickness if needed.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon strips for about 6-8 minutes until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, corn, red bell pepper, and bacon pieces. Toss gently to mix.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately or chill for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 9gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For best flavor, add dressing just before serving and adjust ingredients based on availability.

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