Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a delicious fusion of flavors featuring charred corn, cotija cheese, and a creamy chili lime dressing all tossed together with tender pasta.

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Why we love this recipe

This dish brings together the flavors of Mexican street food with the comfort and versatility of pasta. This fusion creates a unique and tasty salad that appeals to a wide range of palates.

The pasta provides a satisfying chewiness, while the grilled corn kernels add a slight crunch. The creamy dressing and crumbled cheese add a smooth and creamy element to the dish.

It also can be easily customized to suit individual preferences. You can adjust the level of spiciness, add or omit ingredients, or incorporate your personal favorite toppings or seasonings.

Ingredients

For the salad:

• pasta – we love penne, rotini, or anything with ridges to grab the dressing.
• olive oil and butter – we like to use both for cooking the corn.
• corn kernels – you can use either fresh corn or frozen corn. Both work great.
• green onion – chives or diced red onions can also be substituted.
• cilantro – we love the fresh taste of cilantro, but if it is not for you other fresh herbs like parsley can be used instead.
• cotija cheese – this is a crumbly, Mexican cheese with a mild salty flavor. You could also substitute crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese.
• jalapenos – this brings a bit of heat! If you don’t like the spice you can omit the peppers.
• sea salt

For the dressing:

• fresh lime juice – lemon juice can also be used instead.
• garlic
• mayonnaise – we like using homemade mayonnaise.
• sour cream
• tajin – this is a Mexican chili powder with lime. We buy it from a local specialty store and it can also be found on Amazon. You can also use just regular chili powder.

Equipment

• large pot – for cooking the pasta.
• large skillet – use either a ceramic non-stick skillet or a cast iron pan.
• mixing bowls – for making the dressing and tossing the salad.

Instructions

Step 1

First, start by cooking the pasta. Add the dry noodles to a large pot of boiling salted water and follow the package instructions and boil until the pasta is al dente.

Then, drain the cooked pasta, transfer it to a baking sheet, and spread it out for it to cool.

Step 2

Meanwhile, make the dressing. Start by adding the minced garlic to the fresh lime juice and letting it soak for a bit. This will allow the flavor of the garlic to soften a bit so it isn’t so pungent.

Then, stir together the rest of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and set it aside.

Step 3

Next, cook the corn. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet. Then, add the corn and sprinkle it with sea salt. Flatten the corn into an even layer and let it cook without stirring for two minutes. This is so a light char will develop on the corn and give it flavor and color.

Then, toss the corn and repeat the process 2 or 3 times to get the charred effect on all sides of the corn.

Step 4

Next, add the cooked corn to a large bowl and toss in the pasta.

Pour the dressing over and give it a good stir to coat everything.

Then, stir in the cilantro, sliced green onions, and jalapenos.

Finally, crumble in the cotija cheese and give the salad one last toss.

Expert tip

Soak the minced garlic in the fresh lime juice for about 10 minutes to soften the flavor.

Garlic can be overpowering when raw and this helps it to mellow.

Recipe variations

• Add a smoked element by stirring in some chipotle to the dressing.
• Boost the protein by adding some black beans or kidney beans to the salad.
• Include some roasted tomatoes! Roast cherry tomatoes in the oven until they burst and develop a slightly charred flavor then toss those into the pasta salad.
• If you are looking for something less creamy check out this Pasta Salad without Mayo! It has a light vinaigrette dressing and fresh garden veggies.

Serving suggestions

• Serve the salad as a side dish alongside grilled meats, such as grilled chicken – we love using this Chili Lime Chicken Marinade, steak, or shrimp. The salad’s creamy, tangy flavors complement the smoky flavors from the grill.
• Enjoy it as a light lunch option. It packs well to tote to work or school and, based on my first-hand experience, it’s also a great option for a quick and satisfying work-from-home lunch.
• This salad is particularly fitting for summer gatherings and BBQs. It’s bright colors and flavors evoke the festive spirit of Mexican street food. Serve it alongside Mexican-style street tacos, or refreshing beverages like agua fresca or margaritas.

FAQS

Storage tips

• Store this salad covered in the fridge until you are ready to serve. We recommend letting it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to come to room temperature for the best flavor.
• Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

More delicious salad recipes

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