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Corn Pasta Salad

Bright and Creamy Corn Pasta Salad You'll Love

This Corn Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of fresh corn, crisp vegetables, and creamy pesto dressing, perfect for summer gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz orecchiette pasta Substitute with fusilli or farfalle for fun shapes.
  • 1 cup corn kernels (cooked) Feel free to use fresh or frozen corn.
  • 1 unit red bell pepper (diced) Yellow or orange bell pepper can be a delightful alternative.
  • 4 slices bacon (cooked and sliced) For a vegetarian twist, omit or use smoked tempeh.
  • to taste fresh cilantro (chopped) Parsley can work in a pinch or be omitted.
For the Dressing
  • ⅓ cup basil pesto Store-bought or homemade.
  • 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt Substitute with sour cream or non-dairy yogurt for a dairy-free option.
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Consider swapping with extra Greek yogurt or avocado for a lighter option.
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed) Lemon juice can work as an alternative.
Seasoning
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • mixing bowl
  • Mason jar or bowl for dressing

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add a pinch of salt, then stir in the orecchiette pasta. Cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a medium jar or bowl, combine basil pesto, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and lime juice. Shake or whisk until smooth, adjusting consistency as needed.
  3. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, corn kernels, diced bell pepper, and sliced bacon. Gently fold together.
  4. Drizzle the creamy dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve immediately or cover and chill for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, garnished with chopped cilantro.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 8gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Add dressing just before serving to avoid sogginess.

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