Sometimes you just need an easy meal that tastes great, and a good pasta salad fits the bill perfectly. I love how simple they are to put together, making them perfect for busy weeknights or a quick lunch.
Today, I’m sharing two fantastic pasta salad recipes featuring corn, bacon, and creamy pesto. You’ll find one with chicken for a full meal and another that’s super quick for a side or lighter bite. Let’s get cooking!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Easy Chicken Corn Pasta Salad With Bacon And Creamy Pesto
- 2. Easy Corn Pasta Salad With Bacon And Creamy Pesto
Easy Chicken Corn Pasta Salad With Bacon And Creamy Pesto
This is a quick and tasty meal for any day. This chicken pasta salad brings together tender chicken, sweet corn, and crispy bacon with a rich pesto sauce.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Chicken Pasta Salad
- Cooked Chicken: Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time, or quickly pan-fry some chicken breast until cooked through.
- Pesto Quality: A good quality creamy pesto makes all the difference in this pasta salad; you can also use homemade if you have some.
What You Need for Pesto Pasta Salad
- 1 lb pasta (like rotini or penne)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup cooked corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup creamy pesto
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Salt and pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 20 mins🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make This Easy Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook Pasta & Prep Ingredients
Cook your pasta according to package directions until it’s tender but still firm. While the pasta cooks, prepare your chicken by dicing or shredding it, cook the corn, and crumble the cooked bacon.
Step 2: Combine Everything
Drain the pasta and let it cool a bit. In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the chicken, corn, bacon, creamy pesto, and mayonnaise if you choose to use it for extra richness.
Step 3: Season & Serve Your Pasta Salad
Stir everything together gently until all the ingredients are well coated with the pesto dressing. Taste the salad and add salt and pepper as needed to get the flavor just right. You can serve this right away or chill it for later.
📝 Final Note on Chicken Pasta Salad
This pasta salad often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to mix and settle. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Easy Corn Pasta Salad With Bacon And Creamy Pesto
This simple corn pasta salad is a go-to for quick lunches or side dishes. It features sweet corn, crispy bacon, and a smooth pesto dressing, perfect for any occasion.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Corn Pasta Salad
- Fresh vs. Frozen Corn: Fresh corn cut right off the cob adds a nice crunch and sweetness, but thawed frozen corn works just as well and is very convenient.
- Bacon Crispy: Make sure your bacon is extra crispy for the best texture contrast against the soft pasta and corn in the salad.
What You Need for This Pesto Corn Salad
- 1 lb small pasta (like elbow macaroni or small shells)
- 2 cups cooked corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup creamy pesto
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for a lighter dressing)
- Cherry tomatoes, halved (optional, for color and freshness)
- Salt and pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 15 mins🍽️ Yields: 4-6 servings
How to Make This Quick Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook Pasta & Bacon
Cook your pasta until it’s al dente according to the package directions, then drain it and let it cool. While the pasta cools, cook your bacon until it’s nice and crispy, then crumble it into small pieces.
Step 2: Mix Your Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, the cooked corn, crumbled bacon, and the creamy pesto. If you like, you can also add olive oil for a lighter dressing and halved cherry tomatoes for extra color and flavor.
Step 3: Dress & Chill The Salad
Mix all the ingredients gently until everything is well coated with the pesto. Season the salad with salt and pepper to your liking. For the best flavor, chill the pasta salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before you serve it.
📝 Final Note on Pesto Corn Salad
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil at the end can brighten up the flavors and add a nice visual touch to this simple corn pasta salad. Enjoy!