Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
This Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a delightful twist on the classic street corn dish, combining pasta with the flavors of grilled corn, creamy cotija cheese, zesty lime, and a hint of chili powder. A perfect side dish for any summer gathering or barbecue.
- Author: Jeannette
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta Salad:
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups corn (fresh or frozen, preferably grilled)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 green onion, sliced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cook the Pasta: Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down. Set it aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Prepare the Corn: If using fresh corn, grill the ears until they are nicely charred, then let them cool. Cut the kernels off the cob. If you’re using frozen corn, just thaw it and make sure to drain any extra water. Both options will add great flavor!
- Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until you have a smooth and creamy dressing.
- Combine the Ingredients: Gently fold the cooked pasta, corn, cotija cheese, cilantro, and green onion into the dressing bowl. Mix carefully so that the pasta and corn are well coated in the delicious dressing without breaking up the pasta too much.
- Final Adjustments and Chill: Give the mixture a taste! If it needs more flavor, feel free to add extra salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lime juice. Once you’re satisfied, you can serve it right away or cover it and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors combine beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle additional cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a touch of chili powder on top for a nice finish. Enjoy your refreshing and tasty Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad!
Notes
- This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Feel free to add grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein boost!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Mexican Corn Salad, Side Dish, Summer BBQ Recipe