Description
This Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon is a fresh, creamy, flavor-packed side dish loaded with sweet corn, crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty pesto-lime dressing. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or quick weekday lunches, it’s easy to make and guaranteed to disappear fast.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta Salad:
- 8 oz orecchiette pasta (or any short pasta)
- 1 cup corn kernels, cooked
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional but recommended)
- Fresh cilantro or basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Pesto Dressing:
- ⅓ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and let cool slightly. - Prepare the dressing:
In a mason jar or small bowl, whisk together pesto, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and lime juice until smooth and creamy. - Adjust consistency:
If the dressing is too thick, add a small splash of water, extra lime juice, or a spoon of yogurt until pourable. - Assemble the salad:
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, corn, diced bell pepper, bacon, and cherry tomatoes. - Dress and finish:
Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. - Garnish:
Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro or basil before serving.
Notes
- Let pasta cool slightly before adding dressing to keep it creamy.
- For extra flavor, lightly char the corn in a skillet before mixing.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- If making ahead, reserve a little dressing to refresh before serving.
- You can substitute sour cream for Greek yogurt if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg