There’s something about the combination of sweet summer corn, flavorful basil pesto, and tender pasta that just screams sunshine in a bowl. This Sweet Corn Pesto Pasta Salad is a bright, flavorful twist on a classic pasta salad that's perfect for cookouts, picnics, or easy weeknight dinners.
Prepare the corn: Grill the corn until it gets a nice char. Slice the corn off the cob. *Other methods: you can cut the corn fresh straight from the cob (so easy and fresh!), or steam it.
2 ears of fresh sweet corn
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water, set aside.
8 oz cooked Ditalini pasta
Dressing: Whisk together all ingredients for the dressing, taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
½ cup store-bought pesto, ½ cup mayonnaise, ⅓ cup sour cream, 1 tsp. white balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tbsp. lemon or lime juice, Pinch of sugar
Add ingredients to serving bowl: Add the cooked pasta, corn, bacon pieces, red onion, and red bell pepper to a large bowl.
5-6 strips thick-cut Bacon, ½ cup finely diced red onion, ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
Pour dressing over the top: Add the pesto dressing, toss to combine. Pro tip: reserve some of the dressing on the side. Prior to serving, toss in the reserved dressing to revive the salad a bit.
Chill: Chill for at least 30 minutes, errr if you can wait!
Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!
fresh basil for garnish
Video
Notes
Storage: Store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days in an airtight container.
Make ahead: If you want to make this pasta salad in advance, I like to save some of the dressing on the side, then add it right before serving to revive the salad a bit!