Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this delightful Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad. A fusion of Mexican street corn flavors with pasta, this salad is perfect for summer gatherings or as a side dish. The creamy dressing with a hint of lime and spices coats the pasta and sweet corn, while the cotija cheese adds a savory kick. This salad is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 8 oz pasta (elbow, rotini, or shells)
Corn Mixture:
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup cotija or feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare the Corn: If using fresh corn, grill or sauté until lightly charred; otherwise, drain canned corn or thaw frozen corn.
- Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, corn, red onion, cilantro, and cheese to the dressing. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Garnish with extra cheese, cilantro, or a sprinkle of chili powder if desired.
Notes
- This salad is great made ahead and keeps well in the fridge for 2–3 days.
- Add diced jalapeños for a kick or grilled chicken to make it a meal.
- Swap cotija with feta if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
