Savoring Summer’s Best: Easy Bacon, Corn & Avocado Pasta Recipe
The end of August always brings a bittersweet feeling, doesn’t it? We find ourselves cherishing the last golden days of summer, the warm breezes, and the incredible bounty of fresh produce that makes this season so special. This time of year is always filled with opportunities for gathering with loved ones, making cherished memories, and enjoying simple, delicious meals together. My husband and I are particularly looking forward to celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary this weekend, a wonderful milestone that calls for a relaxed yet special celebration. We even have a friend graciously offering to watch our nine-year-old, allowing us a rare and much-anticipated night out – it feels like forever since we’ve had one! Beyond our anniversary, we’re thrilled to be hosting dear friends from Iowa whom we haven’t seen in over a year. The anticipation of good company, laughter, and fantastic food makes this weekend truly exciting. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for beautiful weather so we can spend ample time outdoors, soaking up every last bit of summer’s warmth.
With Labor Day just around the corner, many of us are already planning our holiday menus, thinking about backyard barbecues, picnics, and potlucks. If you’re still finalizing your ideas and have a couple of spots open, I have the perfect suggestion: this incredible Bacon, Corn & Avocado Pasta. It’s more than just a dish; it’s an ode to late summer flavors, bringing together the season’s finest ingredients into a meal that is both comforting and wonderfully refreshing. The true magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity, allowing the vibrant, fresh tastes of sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, and creamy avocado to truly take center stage and create a memorable culinary experience. We are still in the peak season for fresh summer corn, so don’t miss this opportunity to incorporate it into your cooking. Not only is it delicious when fresh, but you can also easily cut the kernels off the cob and freeze them to enjoy the sweet taste of summer long after the season has passed. My own garden is currently overflowing with plump, juicy tomatoes, and if you don’t have a garden, local farmer’s markets are brimming with this quintessential summer fruit, ensuring you have access to the freshest ingredients.
This Bacon, Corn & Avocado Pasta is remarkably versatile, making it a fantastic addition to any meal plan. While it serves beautifully as a hearty main course, especially for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s also an exceptional side dish. You can serve it warm, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully, or chilled, offering a refreshing contrast perfect for a hot summer day or a casual outdoor gathering. The harmonious combination of savory crispy bacon, perfectly cooked al dente pasta, the sweet burst of corn kernels, the bright acidity of diced tomatoes, and the smooth, rich creaminess of fresh avocado creates a symphony of textures and flavors that is utterly irresistible. What truly makes this recipe a standout is how quickly and effortlessly it comes together. In the short amount of time it takes to crisp up a batch of savory bacon, you can simultaneously cook your pasta to al dente perfection and chop all your fresh vegetables. It’s truly a “dump-and-go” kind of recipe – just toss everything together in a large bowl, and it’s done! And for any delicious leftovers, a simple drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil can help restore its creamy texture and vibrant freshness, making it just as delightful the next day.
The Essential Ingredients for Your Summer Pasta Perfection
Creating an outstanding pasta dish starts with selecting the best ingredients. This recipe shines because of its reliance on fresh, high-quality components that are at their peak during the summer months. Here’s a closer look at the stars of our dish:
Fresh Summer Corn: The Golden Sweetness
Sweet corn is arguably the highlight of summer produce. When selecting corn, look for bright green husks that are tightly wrapped, and feel for plump, firm kernels beneath. A little tip: if you can, peel back a small section of the husk to check that the kernels are plump and uniform, without any soft spots. The beauty of fresh corn is its natural sweetness and crisp texture, which adds a wonderful pop to every bite of this pasta. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself with an abundance of corn, remember you can easily cut the kernels off the cob and freeze them. Simply blanch the cobs for a few minutes, cool them quickly in an ice bath, then cut the kernels off and store them in airtight bags. This allows you to enjoy the taste of summer even in the depths of winter.
Crispy Bacon: The Savory Crunch
Bacon brings a delightful smoky, salty, and savory depth to this pasta that perfectly contrasts with the sweetness of the corn and the richness of the avocado. When cooking bacon for this dish, aim for extra crispy pieces. This ensures that each forkful offers that satisfying crunch. Don’t discard the bacon drippings entirely! A tablespoon of the rendered fat is reserved and used to sauté the corn and tomatoes, infusing them with an incredible depth of flavor that ties the entire dish together. This small detail is key to unlocking the full potential of this recipe.
Creamy Avocado: The Silky Smoothness
Avocado is what gives this pasta its luxurious, creamy texture and a dose of healthy fats. When choosing avocados, gently press near the stem; a ripe avocado should yield slightly to pressure but not feel mushy. For this recipe, you’ll want them perfectly ripe for maximum creaminess. To prevent diced avocado from browning too quickly, toss it with a squeeze of lime or lemon juice right after chopping, though for this dish, since it’s mixed in right before serving, it usually holds up well. The buttery texture of the avocado coats the pasta beautifully, making every bite incredibly satisfying.
Juicy Tomatoes: A Burst of Freshness
Whether they’re from your garden, a farmer’s market, or a good quality store-bought variety, ripe tomatoes are essential. They add a bright, acidic counterpoint to the richness of the bacon and avocado, and their juiciness brings a refreshing element to the pasta. Cherry or grape tomatoes work wonderfully for this dish, as they can be simply halved and add lovely bursts of flavor. Their vibrant color also makes the dish visually appealing, reflecting the fresh spirit of summer.
The Right Pasta: The Perfect Canvas
For a dish like this, a pasta shape that can capture and hold the small ingredients (corn, bacon crumbles, diced avocado, tomato halves) is ideal. Penne pasta, as suggested in the recipe, is perfect for this, but other similar shapes like fusilli, rotini, or orecchiette would also work beautifully. The goal is to cook the pasta al dente – firm to the bite – so it maintains its texture and doesn’t become mushy when tossed with the other ingredients. A well-cooked pasta provides the sturdy foundation for all the wonderful flavors to build upon.
Mastering the Quick Preparation: Tips for a Seamless Cook
One of the most appealing aspects of this Bacon, Corn & Avocado Pasta is its rapid preparation time. You can have a fresh, flavorful meal on the table in about 25 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or when you want to maximize your time enjoying company rather than slaving in the kitchen. Here’s how to ensure a smooth cooking process:
- **Multitask for Efficiency:** The key to speed is efficient multitasking. As soon as your water is on for the pasta, start cooking the bacon. While the bacon crisps and the pasta boils, you can simultaneously dice your tomatoes and avocados. This parallel preparation minimizes your total cooking time significantly.
- **Don’t Rush the Bacon:** While speed is important, don’t rush the bacon. Cooking it slowly over medium heat allows the fat to render properly, resulting in perfectly crispy pieces. Remove it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then crumble it when cool enough to handle.
- **Flavor Infusion:** The instruction to cook the corn in the reserved bacon drippings is not just for heating; it’s a crucial step for flavor infusion. The corn kernels absorb that rich, smoky essence, elevating their natural sweetness. Sautéing them until lightly browned adds another layer of depth and texture.
- **Gentle Mixing:** Once all your components are ready – the al dente pasta, the savory corn and tomato mixture, the crispy bacon, and the creamy avocado – combine them gently in a large bowl. You want to mix just enough to ensure everything is evenly distributed without mashing the avocado or breaking the pasta.
- **Serve Immediately for Best Texture:** While the pasta can be enjoyed cold, the flavors and textures are often best when served immediately after tossing, especially for the creamy avocado. The warmth of the pasta and the sautéed vegetables helps to slightly soften and integrate the avocado into the dish.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
This Bacon, Corn & Avocado Pasta is wonderfully adaptable. Serve it as a complete meal on its own, perhaps with a light green salad on the side, or as a vibrant side dish to complement your favorite grilled meats like chicken, pork chops, or even a juicy burger. The fresh flavors make it an excellent choice for any casual gathering.
Elevate Your Dish with Simple Garnishes:
- **Fresh Herbs:** A sprinkle of fresh chopped basil, cilantro, or parsley adds a burst of freshness and color.
- **A Squeeze of Citrus:** A final squeeze of lime juice over the finished dish can brighten all the flavors, especially complementing the avocado and corn.
- **Crumbled Feta or Cotija:** For a touch of salty, tangy creaminess, a light sprinkle of crumbled feta or Cotija cheese can be a delightful addition.
Creative Variations to Try:
- **Add Protein:** For an even heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.
- **Make it Vegetarian:** Simply omit the bacon and sauté the corn and tomatoes in olive oil instead. You can add smoked paprika for a hint of smoky flavor.
- **Spice it Up:** A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick if you enjoy a little heat.
- **Different Veggies:** Feel free to incorporate other summer vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or red onion for added flavor and nutrition.
Why This Recipe is a Summer Essential
Beyond its delicious taste and ease of preparation, this Bacon, Corn & Avocado Pasta embodies everything we love about summer cooking. It’s a celebration of seasonal ingredients, offering a fresh, vibrant, and satisfying meal that requires minimal effort in the kitchen, allowing you more time to enjoy the beautiful weather and good company. It’s perfect for those last-minute potlucks, family dinners, or a simple treat for yourself. The balance of savory, sweet, and creamy makes it a crowd-pleaser that appeals to a wide range of palates. Plus, with the healthy fats from avocado and the goodness of fresh vegetables, it’s a meal you can feel good about enjoying.
I hope this recipe becomes a staple in your late summer repertoire. It’s a dish that truly captures the essence of the season in every delicious bite.
Bacon, Corn & Avocado Pasta
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Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1/2 pound bacon
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups about 3 large ears corn kernels
- 2 large avocados
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to the package directions.
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In a large skillet cook bacon until crispy, remove to a paper towel to drain. Reserve 1 Tbls of bacon drippings. Crumble bacon into small pieces.
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Meanwhile slice grape tomatoes in half, and dice the avocado.
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Add corn to the remaining 1 Tbls of bacon drippings, and heat over medium high heat. Stir frequently until corn is lightly browned. Add tomatoes, and cook for another minute.
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In a large bowl toss together pasta, corn mixture, crumbled bacon, and avocado. Mix to combine.
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Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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