Indulge in the perfect blend of creamy and crispy textures with this delightful creamy confetti corn with bacon. This dish combines the sweetness of fresh corn with the savory goodness of bacon, made irresistibly creamy with neufchâtel cheese. It’s a colorful, flavorful side that will elevate any meal.
Photos of Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon Recipe
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common, you might need to make a special trip to the supermarket for neufchâtel cheese. This cheese is similar to cream cheese, but with a lower fat content, making it a healthier alternative. Ensure you also have fresh corn and green onions to get the best flavors.
Ingredients For Creamy Confetti Corn With Bacon
corn: Provides the sweet and juicy base for the dish.
bacon: Adds a savory and crispy texture.
red bell pepper: Contributes a mild sweetness and vibrant color.
red onion: Gives a slight sharpness and additional depth of flavor.
salt: Enhances overall taste.
black pepper: Adds a hint of heat and earthiness.
neufchâtel cheese: Creates the creamy consistency with a tangy note.
milk: Helps to thin the cheese and achieve the desired creaminess.
green onions: Adds freshness and a mild onion flavor.
parsley: Brings in a fresh, slightly peppery taste and a pop of green color.
One reader, Allix Draper says:
This creamy confetti corn with bacon recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The crisp bacon perfectly complements the creamy corn and fresh veggies. It's an easy, crowd-pleasing side dish that adds a burst of color and taste to any meal. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon
Yes.
How to cook bacon: Place bacon strips in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crisp, turning occasionally. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
How to drain bacon fat: After cooking the bacon, carefully pour off the rendered fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet for sautéing the vegetables.
How to sauté vegetables: Heat the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings over medium-high heat. Add corn, bell pepper, and red onion. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 6 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally.
How to melt neufchâtel cheese: Add neufchâtel cheese and milk to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Cook and stir until the cheese has melted and the mixture is creamy. Add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to achieve the desired consistency.
How To Make Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon
Enjoy a colorful side dish with this confetti corn sauteed with bacon, bell peppers, and onions, made creamy with milk and Neufchatel cheese.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 4½cupsfresh corn,(from about 7 ears)
- 8ozbacon,(8 slices), diced into small pieces
- ⅔cupsmall red bell pepper,chopped
- ½cupred onion,chopped
- ½tspsalt and freshly ground black pepper,(each), or to taste
- 6ozNeufchatel cheese,or light cream cheese, diced into cubes
- ⅓cupmilk,plus more as needed
- ⅓cupgreen onions,chopped, optional
- 2tbspfresh parsley,chopped
Instructions
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Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Drain off rendered bacon fat while reserving 1 tablespoon in skillet.
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Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Heat skillet with drippings over medium-high heat.
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Add corn, bell pepper, red onion and season with salt and pepper. Saute for about 6 minutes until tender.
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Add in Neufchatel cheese and milk and cook and stir until the cheese has melted. Add in more milk 1 tablespoon at a time to thin as needed.
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Stir in green onions, parsley and half the bacon. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with remaining bacon. Serve warm.
Nutrition
- Calories: 294.03kcal
- Fat: 20.10g
- Saturated Fat: 7.95g
- Trans Fat: 0.05g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7.56g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.82g
- Carbohydrates: 21.51g
- Fiber: 2.48g
- Sugar: 8.57g
- Protein: 10.09g
- Cholesterol: 40.53mg
- Sodium: 440.95mg
- Calcium: 54.15mg
- Potassium: 428.61mg
- Iron: 0.88mg
- Vitamin A: 99.57µg
- Vitamin C: 23.11mg
Helpful Technique for Perfecting Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon
When sautéing the corn, bell pepper, and red onion, ensure the skillet is hot enough to achieve a slight caramelization. This will enhance the natural sweetness of the vegetables and add depth of flavor to the dish.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Delicious Creamy Confetti Corn Recipe
Pre-cook the bacon: Cook the bacon in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly add it to the skillet when needed.
Use frozen corn: Substitute fresh corn with frozen corn to save time on shucking and cutting.
Chop veggies ahead: Dice the red bell pepper, red onion, and green onions the night before and store them in airtight containers.
Soften cheese early: Let the neufchâtel cheese sit at room temperature for easier melting.
One-pan method: Use a large skillet to cook everything, reducing the number of dishes to wash later.
Substitute Ingredients For Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon Recipe
fresh corn - Substitute with frozen corn: Frozen corn is a convenient alternative and retains much of the flavor and texture of fresh corn.
bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon is a leaner option that still provides a similar smoky flavor.
small red bell pepper - Substitute with yellow bell pepper: Yellow bell pepper offers a similar sweetness and crunch, adding a different color to the dish.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can add a subtle sweetness to the dish.
neufchâtel cheese - Substitute with cream cheese: Cream cheese has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it an easy swap.
milk - Substitute with heavy cream: Heavy cream will make the dish richer and creamier.
green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish.
fresh parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh, slightly citrusy flavor that can complement the other ingredients.
Presentation Ideas for a Delightful Creamy Confetti Corn Dish
Use a pristine white plate: The contrast of the creamy confetti corn against a clean, white plate will make the colors pop and look more vibrant.
Create a base layer: Spread a thin layer of the creamy confetti corn in the center of the plate, creating a circular base. This will act as the foundation for the rest of the presentation.
Add height with a ring mold: Use a ring mold to stack a portion of the creamy confetti corn on top of the base layer. This adds height and structure to the dish, making it visually appealing.
Garnish with green onions and parsley: Sprinkle finely chopped green onions and fresh parsley around the base of the stacked corn. This adds a touch of freshness and color contrast.
Crisp bacon crumbles: Scatter the remaining bacon crumbles on top of the stacked corn, ensuring they are evenly distributed. The crispy texture will add a delightful crunch.
Drizzle with a light cream sauce: Prepare a light cream sauce using neufchâtel cheese and milk. Drizzle it artistically around the plate, adding a touch of elegance and extra creaminess.
Add microgreens for a touch of sophistication: Place a small bunch of microgreens on top of the stacked corn. This adds a sophisticated touch and a burst of freshness.
Finish with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper: Lightly dust the entire dish with freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors and add a final touch of seasoning.
Serve with a side of artisan bread: Accompany the dish with a slice of warm, crusty artisan bread. This complements the creamy texture and provides a delightful contrast.
Present with a polished silver fork: Place a polished silver fork beside the plate, ensuring it is perfectly aligned. This adds a touch of elegance and completes the presentation.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon
Large skillet: Used for cooking the bacon and sautéing the vegetables. It provides a wide surface area for even cooking.
Paper towels: Used to drain the bacon and remove excess grease.
Plate: Used to hold the cooked bacon after it has been drained.
Knife: Essential for chopping the red bell pepper, red onion, green onions, and parsley.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables and herbs.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the corn, milk, and other ingredients accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the vegetables and mixing in the neufchâtel cheese and milk.
Serving bowl: Used to transfer the finished dish for serving.
Spatula: Useful for transferring the sautéed ingredients and scraping the skillet.
Tongs: Handy for turning the bacon while it cooks to ensure it crisps evenly.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon
To store leftover creamy confetti corn with bacon, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Seal the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When ready to reheat, transfer the desired portion to a microwave-safe dish and heat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
If you want to freeze the creamy confetti corn with bacon, transfer the cooled dish to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it to prevent freezer burn. Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
Frozen creamy confetti corn with bacon can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, transfer the container or bag to the refrigerator overnight or for several hours until completely thawed.
When reheating frozen creamy confetti corn with bacon, transfer the thawed portion to a microwave-safe dish and heat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through. You can also reheat it in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If the dish appears too thick after thawing, you can add a splash of milk or cream to help loosen it up and restore its creamy texture.
How To Reheat Leftover Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon
Stovetop method: transfer the leftover creamy confetti corn with bacon to a saucepan over medium-low heat. stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes. if the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen it up and achieve the desired consistency.
Microwave method: place the leftover creamy confetti corn with bacon in a microwave-safe bowl. cover the bowl with a damp paper towel to prevent splattering and help retain moisture. microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until heated through. if needed, add a small amount of milk or cream to adjust the consistency.
Oven method: preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). transfer the leftover creamy confetti corn with bacon to an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of reheating to allow the top to slightly brown and crisp up, if desired. stir well before serving.
Slow cooker method: place the leftover creamy confetti corn with bacon in a slow cooker. cover and cook on low for 1-2 hours, or until heated through. stir occasionally to ensure even heating. this method is ideal if you have large quantities of leftovers or want to keep the dish warm for an extended period.
Regardless of the reheating method chosen, be sure to taste the creamy confetti corn with bacon and adjust the seasoning as needed. you may find that the flavors have mellowed during storage, so a pinch of salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice can help brighten the dish.
Interesting Trivia About Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon
A random fact about this recipe is that neufchâtel cheese is a lower-fat alternative to cream cheese, originating from France. It provides a creamy texture while reducing the overall calorie content of the dish.
Is Making Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon at Home Cost-Effective?
The creamy confetti corn with bacon recipe is relatively cost-effective. The main ingredients like corn, bacon, bell pepper, and red onion are affordable and widely available. Neufchâtel cheese and fresh parsley might be slightly pricier, but they add a rich flavor. Overall, this dish scores a solid 8/10 for cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15-$18 USD.
Is Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon Healthy or Unhealthy?
The creamy confetti corn with bacon recipe, while undeniably delicious, leans more towards the unhealthy side due to several factors:
- High saturated fat content: The use of bacon and neufchâtel cheese contributes to a significant amount of saturated fat, which can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.
- Sodium: Bacon and added salt contribute to a higher sodium content, which may be a concern for those with high blood pressure or cardiovascular issues.
- Refined dairy: The recipe calls for milk and neufchâtel cheese, which are processed dairy products that may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivities.
However, the recipe does include some healthy ingredients, such as fresh corn, bell peppers, onions, and herbs, which provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of bacon or replace it with a leaner protein source, such as turkey bacon or grilled chicken breast.
- Use a lower-fat cheese alternative, like reduced-fat cream cheese or a plant-based cheese, to decrease the saturated fat content.
- Increase the proportion of vegetables in the dish, such as adding more bell peppers, onions, or even leafy greens like spinach or kale.
- Replace the milk with a lower-fat or plant-based alternative, such as skim milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices to enhance the flavor without relying on excessive salt or fat.
Editor's Opinion on the Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon Recipe
This creamy confetti corn with bacon recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The sweetness of the fresh corn pairs beautifully with the smoky, crisp bacon. The addition of neufchâtel cheese and milk creates a luscious, creamy base, while the red bell pepper and red onion add a subtle crunch and vibrant color. The green onions and fresh parsley provide a refreshing finish. It's a well-balanced dish that's both visually appealing and delicious, perfect for a comforting side at any meal.
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Why trust this Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon Recipe:
This recipe combines the sweetness of fresh corn with the smoky flavor of bacon, creating a delightful contrast. The addition of neufchâtel cheese and milk ensures a creamy texture, while red bell pepper and red onion add vibrant color and crunch. The final touch of green onions and parsley brings a fresh, herby note. This dish is not only visually appealing but also packed with flavor, making it a trustworthy choice for any meal.
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