Juicy Street Corn Pasta Salad (Printable Version)
Vibrant Mexican-inspired pasta salad with charred corn, creamy dressing, and zesty spices.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 ears fresh corn (or 3 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed)
03 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Dressing
07 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1/2 cup sour cream
09 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
10 - 1 tsp chili powder
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Cheese
15 - 3.5 oz cotija cheese or feta, crumbled
→ Optional Garnishes
16 - Extra cilantro
17 - Lime wedges
18 - Chili powder for sprinkling
# Directions:
01 - Cook pasta in large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - Preheat grill or large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil corn and cook, turning occasionally, until charred in spots and tender (8–10 minutes). Cool, then cut kernels from cobs. If using frozen corn, sauté in dry skillet until lightly golden.
03 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper in large mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.
04 - Add cooled pasta, corn kernels, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro to dressing. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Gently fold in crumbled cotija cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or chili powder if needed.
06 - Refrigerate salad for at least 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra cilantro, lime wedges, and sprinkle of chili powder if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It travels beautifully and actually tastes better after the flavors hang out for a while
- You get all those street corn vibes without standing over a hot grill for hours
02 -
- Rinsing the pasta with cold water is not optional, it keeps the pasta from getting gummy and stops the cooking process
- The salad needs time in the fridge, but bring it to room temp for about 20 minutes before serving for the best flavor
03 -
- Cut the corn kernels off the cob inside a large bowl or they will bounce all over your kitchen
- Taste the dressing before adding it to the pasta, adjusting the lime or spice to match your preferences