Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

why make this recipe

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that combines the classic flavors of street corn with the heartiness of pasta. This recipe is great for picnics, barbecues, or any gathering where you want a cool and satisfying side dish. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and is sure to impress your friends and family.

how to make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Ingredients :

• 1 lb cooked pasta (rotini or shells)
• 12 oz corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
• 1 diced red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped green onion
• 1 cup cotija cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Directions :

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, red onion, cilantro, green onion, and cotija cheese.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayo, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and mix until everything is well coated.
4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy your Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad!

how to serve Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Serve this pasta salad chilled or at room temperature. It pairs well with grilled meats, tacos, or as a stand-alone dish. You can serve it in a big bowl for sharing or in individual servings for a nice presentation.

how to store Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Store any leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for about 3-4 days. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing, you can add a little extra sour cream or mayo before serving again.

tips to make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

• Make sure to cool the pasta completely before mixing it with the other ingredients to prevent the dressing from getting warm.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of lime juice and spices to suit your taste.
• For added crunch, consider adding some diced bell peppers or a handful of crushed tortilla chips on top right before serving.

variation

You can customize this salad by adding other ingredients like diced jalapeños for heat, black beans for protein, or diced avocado for creaminess. You can also switch the cheese to feta if you like.

FAQs

Can I use frozen corn?
Yes, you can use frozen corn! Just thaw it before adding it to the salad.

Is this dish spicy?
The spice level is mild, but you can adjust the chili powder to make it spicier if you prefer.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! It can be made a day in advance, which helps the flavors develop even more. Just give it a good stir before serving.

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

A refreshing pasta salad that combines the classic flavors of Mexican street corn with hearty pasta, perfect for gatherings.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main ingredients

• 1 lb cooked pasta (rotini or shells) Use any preferred shape.
• 12 oz corn (fresh, canned, or frozen) If using frozen, make sure to thaw before adding.
• 1 piece diced red onion Adds crunch and flavor.
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro Fresh cilantro enhances the flavor.
• 1/2 cup chopped green onion For added freshness.
• 1 cup cotija cheese Can substitute with feta if desired.

Dressing

• 1 cup sour cream Adds creaminess.
• 1/2 cup mayo For a richer flavor.
• 2 tbsp lime juice Fresh lime juice is best.
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp chili powder Adjust to taste.
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt To taste.
• 1 tsp pepper To taste.

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, red onion, cilantro, green onion, and cotija cheese.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayo, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and mix until everything is well coated.
4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

Serve this pasta salad chilled or at room temperature. It pairs well with grilled meats, tacos, or as a stand-alone dish. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing, add a little extra sour cream or mayo before serving again.