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Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing

Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing takes only 30 minutes and makes a beautiful appetizer, light meal, or even dinner! This crowd-pleasing side dish is perfect for sharing and br...
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 316

Ingredients
  

Corn pasta salad
  • 8 oz orecchiette pasta or other short pasta
  • 1 cup corn kernels cooked
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 4 slices bacon cooked and sliced
  • fresh cilantro chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
Salad dressing
  • ⅓ cup basil pesto store-bought or homemade
  • 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed

Method
 

  1. Bring a pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions. Drain.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, proceed with the rest of the recipe.
  3. In a mason jar, whisk together basil pesto with Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and freshly squeezed lime juice.
  4. If your dressing is too thick, you can thin it out by adding more Greek yogurt, small amounts of water, or extra lime juice (or lemon juice). Or, combination of what I just listed.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooked and drained pasta, cooked corn kernels, diced bell pepper, and chopped cooked bacon. Mix to combine.
  6. Distribute into individual salad bowls. Top with the salad dressing. Sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 9gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 317mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g

Notes

The creamy pesto dressing combines basil pesto, Greek yogurt, and mayonnaise, creating a rich, tangy flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the corn and the smoky bacon. The acidity from the lime juice brightens the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile and making each bite a delightful contrast of textures and tastes.

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