Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad (Printable View)
Vibrant pasta salad with sweet corn, zesty lime, and smoky creamy dressing ready in 35 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 cups corn kernels, fresh, grilled or frozen and thawed
03 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
06 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Cheese
07 - 3/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese
→ Dressing
08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 1/4 cup sour cream
10 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
11 - 1 tsp lime zest
12 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1 tsp hot sauce, optional
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Prepare pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool completely. Set aside.
02 - If using fresh corn kernels, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add corn. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and browned, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, charred corn, diced red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and hot sauce if using. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Whisk until completely smooth and creamy.
05 - Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
06 - Gently fold in all but 2 tablespoons of the crumbled cotija or feta cheese, being careful not to break up the pasta.
07 - Transfer the salad to a serving platter or bowl. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top along with additional fresh cilantro if desired. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The tangy lime and smoky spices balance perfectly with the sweet corn, creating that addictive street corn flavor everyone craves
- It travels beautifully to picnics and actually tastes better after the flavors have time to mingle in the fridge
02 -
- Rinsing the pasta with cold water is crucial to prevent it from becoming gummy and help it absorb the dressing better
- The salad needs that chilling time for the pasta to really soak up all the flavors, so do not skip this step
03 -
- Cut all your vegetables slightly smaller than you think you need for the perfect bite every time
- Taste and adjust the spices before chilling, as cold temperatures mute flavors slightly