Description
Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad combines tender rotini pasta with the smoky, flavorful essence of street corn. Enhanced with a zesty, creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, lime, and spices, this Mexican-inspired side dish features fresh veggies, cotija cheese, and vibrant herbs. Perfect for summer gatherings and BBQs, it’s easy to prepare, served chilled, and loaded with bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, grilled, or thawed frozen)
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 small jalapeño finely diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/3 cup crumbled cotija cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, corn kernels, finely chopped red onion, diced red bell pepper, jalapeño (if using), chopped fresh cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese into the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice to suit your preference.
- Chill and serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Before serving, garnish with extra cotija cheese, a sprinkle of chili powder, and a few cilantro leaves for an added burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- Grilled corn adds the best flavor and brings a smoky street corn taste to the salad.
- If cotija cheese is unavailable, feta cheese can be a good substitute.
- For added heat, increase the amount of jalapeño or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- This pasta salad can be prepared up to one day in advance and kept refrigerated to deepen the flavors.
