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Creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy zesty summer side dish combining creamy pasta with smoky roasted corn and fresh lime for a lively, crowd-pleasing salad.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears of corn)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • Juice of 2 limes (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco (or feta)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: diced jalapeño or crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse briefly under cold water. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups fresh corn kernels and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and slightly charred. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream, juice of 2 limes, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 minced garlic clove, and salt and pepper to taste until smooth.
  4. Add the roasted corn to the bowl with pasta. Pour the creamy dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly. Fold in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. If too thick after chilling, add a splash of water or lime juice to loosen.

Notes

Roasting the corn is key to developing smoky flavor. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Adjust dressing amount to avoid overdressing. Salad holds well refrigerated for up to 2 days but avoid freezing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican street corn, pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer side dish, roasted corn, zesty pasta salad

Find it online: https://nadinetable.com/creamy-mexican-street-corn-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-summer-side-dish/