Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad (Printable)

Vibrant pasta with sweet corn, zesty lime, and smoky creamy dressing

# 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

# Directions:

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 Tips:

01 -
  • Its like eating Mexican street corn but way less messy and perfect for feeding a crowd
  • The flavors get even better after a few hours in the fridge making it ideal for meal prep
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes with mostly pantry staples
02 -
  • Rinse your pasta under cold water immediately after draining or it will keep cooking and get mushy
  • The salad needs time to chill so the pasta absorbs all that flavorful dressing properly
  • Wait to add the final cheese garnish until right before serving so it stays fresh looking
03 -
  • Let the salad come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving cold from the fridge
  • Char your corn even if you're using frozen kernels for that authentic street corn flavor

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