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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad


  • Author: Sally Roberts
  • Total Time: 25 minutes, plus 30 minutes chilling
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a creamy, zesty, easy recipe loaded with tender pasta, sweet charred corn, cotija cheese, lime, chili powder, and fresh cilantro. It is a quick side dish for cookouts, a fun lunch idea, a make-ahead potluck favorite, and one of those simple food ideas that works for easy dinner nights, summer meals, and flavorful meal prep.


Ingredients

12 ounces rotini pasta

4 cups corn kernels, fresh, frozen, or canned and drained

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 small garlic clove, finely minced

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/3 cup finely diced red onion

1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

3/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese, divided

1 lime, cut into wedges for serving


Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini until al dente according to package directions, then drain and rinse under cold water. Shake off excess water.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred in spots. Let it cool slightly.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth.

4. Add the cooled pasta, charred corn, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and 1/2 cup cotija cheese to the dressing.

5. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.

6. Stir before serving, then top with the remaining cotija cheese, extra cilantro if desired, and lime wedges.

Notes

Use well-drained pasta so the dressing stays creamy and does not turn watery.

Char the corn in a hot skillet for the best smoky street-corn flavor, especially when using frozen or canned corn.

Taste again after chilling because cold pasta salad often needs an extra squeeze of lime or a small pinch of salt before serving.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 365
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 430 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 28 mg

Keywords: Mexican street corn pasta salad, elote pasta salad, easy pasta salad, summer side dish, potluck pasta salad, quick side dish, easy dinner side, food ideas