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+ servings
Corn Pasta Salad

Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Bliss

This Corn Pasta Salad bursts with fresh flavors, featuring sweet corn, crunchy bell peppers, and savory bacon, all enveloped in a creamy pesto dressing.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 cup Corn Kernels Approximately from 2 ears of cooked corn.
  • 8 ounces Orecchiette Pasta Can substitute with fusilli or farfalle.
  • 1 piece Red Bell Pepper Diced.
  • 4 slices Bacon Cooked and sliced; can be omitted for vegetarian version.
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Cilantro Chopped for garnish.
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
For the Dressing
  • 0.5 cup Basil Pesto Homemade or store-bought.
  • 0.5 cup Greek Yogurt Can substitute with sour cream.
  • 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise Can use vegan mayo.
  • 2 tablespoons Lime Juice Freshly squeezed; lemon juice is a good substitute.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Mason jar or mixing bowl
  • Large Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. When al dente, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
  2. In a mason jar or mixing bowl, combine the basil pesto, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and freshly squeezed lime juice. Whisk until smooth and creamy; adjust thickness if needed.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, corn, diced red bell pepper, and sliced bacon. Gently toss to mix.
  4. Drizzle the creamy pesto dressing over the salad and gently fold to combine, ensuring everything is coated. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  5. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle chopped cilantro on top. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 12gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best quality, keep dressing separate until serving.

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