Description
Creamy Mexican street corn pasta salad combines zesty flavors from traditional elote with hearty pasta. Fresh cilantro, cotija cheese, and chili powder elevate this crowd-pleasing summer side dish you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (250 grams) cooked pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie)
- 2 cups (300 grams) fresh or frozen corn kernels
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
- ¼ cup (30 grams) crumbled cotija or feta cheese
- ¼ cup (30 grams) chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeno, diced (optional)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cumin
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Extra cotija or feta cheese (optional)
- Lime wedges (optional)
- Sprinkle of Tajin or extra chili powder (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in generously salted water until perfectly al dente, then shock in ice-cold water to cease cooking, ensuring optimal texture. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Corn Transformation: Intensely char corn kernels in a scorching skillet or over open flame, developing rich smoky caramelization. Cool kernels completely before integrating into the salad mixture.
- Dressing Alchemy: Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, and a medley of spices including chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper, blending until silky smooth.
- Ingredient Symphony: In a spacious mixing vessel, unite cooled pasta with roasted corn, crimson bell peppers, piquant red onion, verdant cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, and optional fiery jalapeño slices.
- Flavor Fusion: Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad components, gently folding to ensure comprehensive coating and harmonious flavor distribution.
- Final Refinement: Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Before presentation, garnish with additional cotija cheese and sprinkle Tajin or chili powder for an electrifying flavor profile.
- Serving Suggestion: Present chilled or at room temperature, accompanied by zesty lime wedges to elevate the culinary experience.
Notes
- Char Corn Carefully: Use high heat and watch closely to get smoky caramelized edges without burning, rotating kernels frequently for even charring.
- Prevent Soggy Pasta: Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking and drain thoroughly to stop cooking process and maintain perfect al dente texture.
- Balance Dressing Consistency: Whisk dressing ingredients gradually, adjusting mayo and sour cream ratio to achieve creamy yet light coating that doesn’t overwhelm pasta and vegetables.
- Customize Spice Levels: Modify heat by controlling jalapeño quantity or replacing with milder green chiles for sensitive palates while maintaining authentic Mexican street corn flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg