Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad (Printable)

Creamy pasta salad with grilled corn, zesty lime, and smoky spices.

# 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, then rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool completely.
02 - Char fresh corn kernels in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until lightly browned, adding a smoky flavor. If using frozen corn, thaw completely and skip this step.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, add cooled pasta, charred corn, diced red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and hot sauce if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste until smooth and creamy.
05 - Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the tangy, smoky sauce.
06 - Gently fold in the crumbled cotija or feta cheese, reserving a small portion for garnish on top.
07 - Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with remaining cheese and extra cilantro if desired. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold.

# Tips from dashanddishes:

01 -
  • Its like eating Mexican street corn but easier to share with a crowd
  • The creamy dressing clings to every curve of pasta so no bite is boring
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta thoroughly with cold water or it will keep cooking and become mushy
  • The salad needs at least 20 minutes of chilling time for the flavors to really develop
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the heat level
  • If you can find cotija cheese, it's worth seeking out for that authentic salty kick

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