Description
Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and easy-to-make dish featuring creamy plant-based cheese, smoky turkey bacon, juicy grilled corn, and a zesty natural apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or potlucks, this salad offers a perfect balance of textures and bold flavors that delight the senses.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups grilled corn kernels (fresh corn grilled and cut off the cob)
- 8 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (red and yellow)
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese (creamy and smooth)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp natural apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the noodles for the salad.
- Grill the Corn: Grill fresh corn on the cob until lightly charred, then cut the kernels off the cob to add smoky sweetness to the salad.
- Cook Turkey Bacon: In a skillet, cook smoked turkey bacon until crisp. Let cool and chop into bite-sized pieces to bring a smoky crunch to the salad.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, natural apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), olive oil, and natural gelling agent if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, grilled corn kernels, smoked turkey bacon, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cilantro, and plant-based cheese. Toss with the dressing until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Use warm pasta when tossing to help absorb the dressing flavors.
- Fresh grilled corn is preferred over canned or frozen for best taste and texture.
- Start with less dressing and add more as needed to keep pasta from becoming soggy.
- Chilling the salad enhances its flavor and texture.
- Cut vegetables and bacon evenly to improve the overall bite experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: street corn pasta salad, plant-based cheese salad, grilled corn pasta salad, turkey bacon salad, summer pasta salad, easy pasta salad, gluten free pasta salad
