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Creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad - featured image

A vibrant and creamy pasta salad inspired by Mexican street corn, featuring smoky charred corn, tangy lime, and a hint of spice. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 2 cups fresh corn (grilled or canned/frozen)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.
  2. Grill the corn: If using fresh corn, brush it lightly with olive oil and grill over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until slightly charred. Let it cool, then cut the kernels off the cob. (If using canned or frozen corn, simply heat it in a skillet for a few minutes to toast lightly.)
  3. Make the dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  4. Combine the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the grilled corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.
  5. Add the dressing: Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  6. Top with Cotija cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled Cotija cheese over the salad just before serving for the perfect finishing touch.

Notes

[‘Don’t overcook the pasta to maintain its texture.’, ‘Char the corn properly for maximum flavor.’, ‘Whisk the dressing until completely smooth to avoid clumps.’, ‘Adjust the chili powder to your preferred spice level.’, ‘Prep the dressing and chop veggies ahead of time to save time.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican street corn, pasta salad, summer recipe, barbecue side dish, easy dinner, vegetarian recipe