Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender rotini pasta, sweet corn, and a creamy, zesty dressing inspired by classic Mexican street corn flavors. This refreshing salad is perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or as a side dish on a warm day, featuring the delicious combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, and cotija cheese with fresh cilantro.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (to cook pasta and grill corn if needed)
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups corn (grilled, frozen, or canned)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/3 cup crumbled cotija cheese
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Pasta and Corn: In a large bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, then mix in the corn of your choice—grilled, frozen (thawed), or canned—ensuring even distribution throughout.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dressing with Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and corn mixture, then toss gently but thoroughly to coat every ingredient evenly with the flavorful dressing.
- Add Fresh Ingredients: Fold in the chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese carefully to maintain their texture and add freshness and tang to the salad.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to meld the flavors and serve chilled for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For maximum flavor, use freshly grilled corn if possible.
- Add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the dressing for extra heat.
- This salad is an excellent make-ahead dish for BBQs, potlucks, or summer gatherings—it holds up well refrigerated.
Keywords: Mexican street corn pasta salad, Mexican pasta salad, corn salad, cotija cheese pasta, summer salad, BBQ side dish
