Description
This Perfect Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant medley of flavors and textures, featuring tender pasta enveloped in a creamy dressing that bursts with the sweetness of fresh corn. Each bite offers a delightful crunch from the peppers and a zesty kick from lime, making it a refreshing dish perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta: 8 oz elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
- Corn: 2 cups fresh corn kernels (or 1 can, drained)
- Vegetables:
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garnish:
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and jalapeño.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Fold in the crumbled cotija cheese and chopped cilantro gently.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, give the salad a good stir and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
- This salad can be made a day in advance; just keep it covered in the refrigerator.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: salad
- Method: mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5 grams
- Sodium: 450 milligrams
- Fat: 18 grams
- Saturated Fat: 4 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 36 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 8 grams
- Cholesterol: 15 milligrams
Keywords: Perfect Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad, Mexican pasta salad, street corn salad, creamy pasta salad, summer salad, corn salad, easy pasta salad, vegetarian salad, side dish, barbecue salad, fresh corn recipe, zesty pasta salad