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Flavorful Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

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A vibrant and tangy pasta salad featuring smoky grilled corn, creamy lime dressing, and salty cotija cheese, perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears) or frozen, thawed
  • ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • Juice of 1 large lime
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Brush the corn ears lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides—about 8-10 minutes. Let cool slightly, then cut the kernels off the cob. If using frozen corn, sauté it in olive oil in a hot pan until lightly browned.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, juice of 1 large lime, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste until creamy and well combined.
  4. Add the charred corn kernels to the bowl with pasta. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  5. Fold in ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese and ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before plating.

Notes

For a smoky flavor without a grill, broil corn kernels on a baking sheet until charred. Salt pasta water well to season pasta from inside out. Add cotija cheese last and fold gently to avoid grainy texture. Adjust chili powder and lime juice to taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican street corn, pasta salad, cotija cheese, summer salad, grilled corn, creamy dressing, easy recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/flavorful-mexican-street-corn-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/