Description
This creamy bacon ranch street corn pasta salad combines smoky bacon, charred sweet corn, tangy cheddar, and a rich ranch dressing for the ultimate summer side dish. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, or meal prep, it’s quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or bowties)
- 1 1/2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned; char if possible)
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 3 scallions, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Crumbled cotija cheese (optional topping)
- Extra chopped cilantro or scallions (optional topping)
- Dash of hot sauce (optional topping)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- While pasta cooks, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and dry-toast for 4-5 minutes until golden and slightly charred. Stir occasionally.
- In the same skillet, cook bacon slices over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes, flipping halfway. Drain on paper towels, let cool, then crumble.
- Dice red bell pepper, slice scallions, chop cilantro, and shred cheddar cheese. Set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing, lime juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss cooled pasta with charred corn, bacon crumbles, cheddar, bell pepper, scallions, and cilantro. Pour over the creamy ranch dressing and stir until fully coated. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Top with cotija cheese, extra cilantro, or hot sauce if desired. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
For gluten-free, use chickpea or lentil pasta. For vegetarian, skip bacon and add black beans or mushrooms. Char corn well for authentic flavor. If salad dries out, stir in extra ranch or a splash of milk. Make ahead and add bacon just before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 23
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 13
Keywords: pasta salad, bacon, ranch, street corn, summer side, BBQ, picnic, easy recipe, creamy salad