Description
A fresh and vibrant Street Corn Pasta Salad combining sweet corn, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese, tossed with cherry tomatoes, green onions, and a tangy, flavorful dressing. This colorful and satisfying salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a simple weeknight dinner, bringing a refreshing burst of summer flavor to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups sweet corn kernels (fresh or grilled)
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 3 cups cooked penne or rotini pasta
- 1 cup plant-based cheese (creamy variety, for folding in)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (plant-based)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (natural)
- 1 tablespoon grape juice (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Spices
- Pinch of chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil your choice of pasta, such as penne or rotini, in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking and cool the noodles.
- Prepare the Corn: Grill or sauté the corn kernels until they are slightly charred to enhance their natural sweetness and add classic street corn flavor.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: Chop the smoked turkey bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Set aside to cool.
- Mix the Dressing: In a bowl, combine plant-based mayonnaise, lime juice, grape juice, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, paprika, chili powder, and black pepper. Whisk well to create a creamy, tangy dressing with a slight kick.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, grilled corn, crispy bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro. Pour the dressing over and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Add Plant-Based Cheese: Fold in the creamy plant-based cheese gently to add richness and texture without breaking up the cheese too much.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain firm texture in the salad.
- Grill corn well for enhanced sweetness and authentic street corn flavor.
- Taste and adjust lime juice and grape juice ratios for preferred tanginess in the dressing.
- Use fresh cilantro for best aroma and flavor.
- Chill the salad before serving to allow flavors to develop.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
- Do not freeze the salad to preserve texture and flavor.
- The salad is best served cold or at room temperature; let it sit out for 15 minutes if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Street Corn Pasta Salad, plant-based cheese salad, summer pasta salad, picnic salad, potluck salad, smoky turkey bacon salad