Description

Street Corn Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful, and satisfying dish featuring smoky turkey bacon, sweet charred corn, and a creamy, tangy dressing made with plant-based mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and zesty lime juice. Perfect for quick lunches or crowd-pleasing sides, it delivers a perfect balance of creamy texture, bright citrus notes, and crunchy veggies in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Corn

2 cups short pasta shapes (rotini or penne)
2 ears fresh corn (grilled or sautéed until lightly charred)

Protein and Cheese

4 slices smoky turkey bacon (cooked crisp and chopped)
1/2 cup plant-based cheese (crumbled)

Dressing

1/3 cup plant-based mayonnaise (natural)
1/3 cup plant-based Greek yogurt (natural)
2 tablespoons lime juice (natural)
1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Herbs and Seasoning

1/3 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
Prepare the corn and turkey bacon: While the pasta is cooking, grill or sauté the fresh corn until lightly charred to achieve a smoky sweetness. Cook the turkey bacon in a skillet until crisp, then chop it into bite-sized pieces.
Mix the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the plant-based mayonnaise, plant-based Greek yogurt, lime juice, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
Combine all ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, charred corn, chopped turkey bacon, chopped cilantro, and crumbled plant-based cheese. Pour the dressing over all ingredients and toss gently to combine the flavors evenly.
Chill before serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled for a refreshing finish.

Notes

Use fresh corn for the best sweet crunch and taste.
Do not overcook pasta; keep it al dente for texture.
Ensure turkey bacon is crisp for contrast in texture.
Chill the salad to enhance and marry the flavors.
Adjust seasoning before serving by adding salt, lime juice, or vegetarian Worcestershire sauce as needed.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 420mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Street Corn Pasta Salad, smoky turkey bacon, fresh corn, plant-based cheese, gluten free pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer salad, quick lunch, crowd-pleasing side