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Delicious Street Corn Pasta Salad with fresh ingredients and colorful toppings.

Street Corn Pasta Salad

A vibrant and creamy pasta salad inspired by Mexican street corn, featuring tender pasta, grilled corn, cotija cheese, and a zesty lime dressing. Perfect for potlucks and summer gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 16 oz pasta cooked al dente
  • 3 cups corn fresh or frozen (thawed), grilled or roasted
  • 1/2 cup Cotija cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely diced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1 jalapeño seeded and minced (optional)
Dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp lime juice fresh
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • grill or skillet
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • small bowl
  • whisk
  • large mixing bowl
  • measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Prep
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. Grill or roast corn until lightly charred; if using fresh, carefully cut kernels off the cob.
  3. Prepare cotija cheese by crumbling it, finely dice the red onion, chop the cilantro, and mince the jalapeño if using.
Make Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Assemble Salad
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, prepared corn, crumbled cotija cheese, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and minced jalapeño.
  2. Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  3. Chill the assembled salad for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to fully meld and develop.

Notes

For best flavor, make the salad a few hours ahead of time and refrigerate. You can also add grilled chicken for a heartier meal.