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Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing

Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing Delight

A quick and delicious Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing, perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Orecchiette pasta Can substitute with fusilli or farfalle.
For the Salad
  • 1 cup Corn kernels Use fresh, frozen, or canned corn.
  • 1 medium Red bell pepper Any color bell pepper can be used.
  • 4 slices Bacon Turkey bacon can be used or omit for vegetarian.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro Can substitute with parsley.
For the Creamy Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Basil pesto Store-bought or homemade works well.
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt Can substitute with regular yogurt or sour cream.
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise Use more Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for a lighter option.
  • 1 tablespoon Lime juice Lemon juice can be used as a substitute.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • mason jar
  • Colander

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine basil pesto, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and lime juice. Whisk until smooth, adjusting consistency as needed.
  3. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 6-8 minutes until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, cool, and chop.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, red bell pepper, and chopped bacon. Toss until well mixed.
  5. Drizzle the creamy dressing over the salad, toss to coat, and serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with cilantro.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 12gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

For a creamier dressing, adjust lime juice gradually. Customize with seasonal veggies like cherry tomatoes for extra flavor.

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