Description
This creamy pesto pasta salad is a flavor-packed, easy-to-make dish that combines tender bowtie pasta, crispy beef or turkey bacon, juicy corn, and a rich basil pesto dressing. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal, it’s great for summer picnics, potlucks, or weekly meal prep.
Ingredients
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8 oz bowtie pasta
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6 slices turkey or beef bacon, cooked and chopped
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1.5 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed)
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½ red bell pepper, diced
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½ cup red onion, chopped
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¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Creamy Pesto Dressing:
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⅓ cup mayonnaise
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⅓ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
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2 tbsp basil pesto
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and let cool.
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Cook bacon until crispy. Cool and chop.
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In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, pesto, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
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In a large bowl, combine pasta, corn, bell pepper, onion, parsley, and bacon.
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Add dressing and toss until everything is well coated.
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Chill for 1–2 hours or serve immediately.
Notes
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Chill before serving for best flavor.
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You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
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Add extra veggies or shredded chicken to customize.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad / Side Dish
- Method: Mixing / No-bake (aside from cooking pasta & bacon)
- Cuisine: American