🌽 Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing
Bright, creamy, and packed with flavor — the ultimate summer side dish!
When the weather heats up, nothing beats a cold pasta salad that’s loaded with vibrant veggies, crispy bacon, and a creamy, herb-packed dressing. This Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon and Creamy Pesto Dressing is exactly that: refreshing, satisfying, and ridiculously easy to throw together.
Whether you’re heading to a backyard BBQ, need a side dish for grilled chicken, or want a simple lunch that keeps in the fridge, this recipe delivers all the flavors you love — sweet corn, tangy pesto, crunchy bacon, and creamy Greek yogurt all in one bite!
🛒 Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 cups cooked short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini work great)
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the creamy pesto dressing:
- 1/4 cup pesto (homemade or your favorite store-bought)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt & pepper to taste
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Cook your pasta
Boil your pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and let it cool completely before using — this prevents the dressing from soaking in too quickly.
2. Mix the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together pesto, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
3. Combine the ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, corn, bacon crumbles, halved cherry tomatoes, red onion, and Parmesan cheese.
4. Add the dressing
Pour the creamy pesto dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated.
5. Chill & serve
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend beautifully. Serve cold and enjoy!
⏱ Quick Facts
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: ~375 kcal per serving
🌟 Tips & Variations
- Use whole wheat pasta for extra fiber, or gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Want it vegetarian? Skip the bacon and add diced avocado or toasted pine nuts.
- Add a handful of fresh spinach or arugula for extra greens.
- Not a fan of Greek yogurt? Substitute with sour cream or mayo for a richer dressing.
