Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining tender pasta with sweet corn and a creamy, zesty dressing inspired by traditional Mexican street corn flavors. Perfect as a side dish for BBQs, potlucks, or a refreshing summer meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (assuming pasta and corn are pre-cooked or grilled beforehand)
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Corn
- 3 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta, cooled
- 2 cups corn (grilled, frozen, or canned)
Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/3 cup crumbled cotija cheese
Instructions
- Combine Pasta and Corn: In a large bowl, mix the cooked and cooled pasta with the corn. Ensure the pasta is fully cooled to prevent the dressing from melting.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Dressing with Pasta: Pour the dressing over the pasta and corn mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every piece evenly with the creamy dressing.
- Add Fresh Ingredients: Fold in the chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese delicately to maintain texture and flavor distribution.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill, enhancing its taste and texture.
Notes
- Use grilled corn for the most authentic, smoky flavor.
- Add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce if you prefer extra heat.
- This salad makes a fantastic make-ahead dish for BBQs and potlucks.
- For a lighter version, substitute sour cream and mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Ensure pasta is fully cooled before mixing to avoid dressing melting or becoming watery.
Keywords: Mexican street corn, pasta salad, cotija cheese, creamy dressing, summer salad, BBQ side dish, potluck recipe
