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Creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

A close-up of creamy street corn pasta salad featuring fusilli pasta, corn kernels, crumbled white cheese, and fresh parsley.
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Make this Elote-inspired pasta salad featuring charred corn, a creamy chili-lime dressing, and cotija cheese. It is a simple, flavorful side dish perfect for BBQs and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or small shell pasta
  • 2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thawed corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is lightly charred, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. While the corn cools, prepare the dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, charred corn, diced red onion, and minced jalapeño (if using).
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of cotija cheese.
  7. Cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
  8. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed, and sprinkle with extra cotija cheese.

Notes

  • For a smoky flavor, char the corn in a dry cast-iron skillet over high heat without moving it too often.
  • You can make this pasta salad ahead of time; prepare it up to one day in advance. If it seems dry after chilling, add a splash of lime juice or a spoonful of sour cream before serving.
  • If you cannot find cotija cheese, use feta cheese as a substitute.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://fooddexterity.com/street-corn-pasta-salad-recipe/