Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad (Printable)
Vibrant pasta salad with sweet corn, zesty lime, and smoky creamy dressing inspired by Mexican street corn flavors.
# What You 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
# Steps:
01 - Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
02 - If using fresh corn, grill or char the corn kernels in a skillet over medium-high heat until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Allow to cool.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, corn, red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and cilantro.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, hot sauce (if using), salt, and black pepper until smooth.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until everything is evenly coated.
06 - Gently fold in most of the cotija or feta cheese, reserving a little for garnish.
07 - Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with the remaining cheese and extra cilantro if desired. Chill for at least 20 minutes before serving for best flavor.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- Its like eating Mexican street corn but without the messy corn-on-the-cob experience
- The creamy dressing gets better as it sits, so its actually perfect for meal prep
02 -
- Rinse your pasta with cold water immediately after draining to stop the cooking process and prevent gummy noodles
- The salad tastes infinitely better after those 20 minutes of chilling time, so plan ahead if you can
03 -
- Pat your corn dry with paper towels if using frozen, so it doesnt water down your dressing
- Wait until just before serving to add the final cheese garnish so it stays fresh and white