Description
A creamy and flavorful Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad made with tender rotini pasta, charred corn, zesty lime dressing, cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and easy family meals.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 4 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced
- Extra cotija cheese and chili powder for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool completely.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly charred.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, and cumin until smooth.
- Add the cooled pasta, charred corn, cilantro, cotija cheese, red onion, and jalapeño to the bowl.
- Toss everything together until evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with extra cotija cheese and chili powder before serving.
Notes
- Rotini works best because it holds the creamy dressing well.
- Fresh, frozen, or canned corn can be used in this recipe.
- For extra heat, add additional jalapeños or hot sauce.
- Greek yogurt can replace part of the mayonnaise for a lighter version.
- Feta cheese is a good substitute if cotija cheese is unavailable.
- This salad tastes even better after chilling for several hours.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
