Juicy Street Corn Pasta Salad (Print View)
Creamy pasta tossed with charred corn, cotija, herbs and smoky spices—ideal for summer gatherings.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
→ Vegetables and Herbs
02 - 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
03 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ Dressing
07 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
09 - Juice of 1 lime
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Mix-Ins and Garnishes
15 - 3/4 cup cotija or feta cheese, crumbled
16 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (optional)
17 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
02 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly charred. If using pre-roasted corn, you may skip this step.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Add cooked pasta, charred corn, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions to the bowl. Toss until all ingredients are thoroughly coated with the dressing.
05 - Fold in crumbled cotija cheese and chopped jalapeño if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional lime juice, salt, or chili powder as desired.
06 - Transfer to a serving dish. Top with extra cheese, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Refrigerate until chilled for optimal flavor before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- When you bring this salad to a picnic, everyone thinks you spent way longer on it than you actually did.
- It somehow manages to be both creamy and refreshing, making it the dish people go back for seconds (and thirds).
02 -
- If you skip rinsing the pasta with cold water, you'll end up with one giant, sticky clump—trust me, it's worth the extra minute.
- I once overdressed the salad and learned to add the dressing gradually; a little goes further than you think.
03 -
- Always reserve a splash of pasta water to thin the dressing, if needed—it clings better that way.
- For parties, char the corn over an open flame (even a gas burner) for bonus flavor and dramatic flair.