Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad (Printable Version)
Vibrant pasta salad with grilled corn, creamy lime dressing, and smoky spices inspired by Mexican street corn flavors.
# 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
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Method:
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, 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 portion 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.
# Chef's Tips:
01 -
- The creamy dressing clings to every curl of pasta but somehow still feels fresh and light
- You can make it hours ahead and it actually tastes better after chilling
02 -
- Rinse your pasta under cold water until it is completely cool or the heat will melt your cheese instantly
- The salad needs at least twenty minutes of chilling time for the flavors to really come together
03 -
- If your pasta salad seems dry after chilling, add a splash more lime juice or a dollop of sour cream before serving
- Wait until just before serving to add the final cheese garnish so it stays white and fresh looking