Street Corn Pasta Salad
A vibrant, creamy, and zesty Street Corn Pasta Salad that combines the bold flavors of Mexican street corn with tender pasta, fresh herbs, and a tangy, cheesy dressing. Perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, or quick weeknight meals, this salad is bursting with sweet corn, smoky spices, and fresh cilantro, delivering a colorful and satisfying dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking (some boiling or grilling for corn and pasta preparation)
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free pasta)
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh or thawed frozen sweet corn kernels
- 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook and Cool the Pasta: Cook your pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool down the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Corn: If using fresh corn, boil or grill the ears until tender, then cut the kernels off the cob. For frozen corn, thaw and drain before use.
- Whisk the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk thoroughly until smooth and creamy, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Mix Salad Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, corn, crumbled cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions to the dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Place the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Give it a final toss before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushy texture.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor brightness.
- Chilling the salad enhances flavor blending and texture.
- Adjust seasoning after chilling, adding more chili powder or salt if needed.
- For extra depth, briefly sauté corn kernels with a little butter before mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Street Corn Pasta Salad, Mexican Pasta Salad, Summer Salad, BBQ Side Dish, Creamy Pasta Salad, Cotija Cheese Salad, Gluten-Free Salad
Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/street-corn-pasta-salad/