Creamy Street Corn Pasta Recipe
Creamy Street Corn Pasta is a vibrant, flavorful dish that combines al dente pasta with charred corn, a zesty cilantro-lime dressing, and a touch of creamy mayonnaise and sour cream. Inspired by Mexican street corn, this recipe uses a blend of spices and cotija cheese to create a deliciously tangy and smoky pasta salad perfect for summer gatherings or as a refreshing side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 ounces short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (from about 3–4 ears)
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Cheese and Garnish
- ¼ cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as substitute)
- ¼ cup cotija cheese, for topping
- Extra cilantro, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil the pasta in generously salted water until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta type. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
- Char corn: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is lightly charred, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Prepare dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled pasta, charred corn, diced red onion, chopped jalapeño, fresh cilantro, and half of the crumbled cotija cheese with the dressing. Mix thoroughly so all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Season and chill: Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning if needed. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and develop fully.
- Serve: Before serving, garnish with the remaining cotija cheese, extra cilantro leaves, and lime wedges on the side for an added fresh burst of flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, keep some of the jalapeño seeds or add more jalapeño.
- Feta cheese can be used as a substitute if cotija cheese is unavailable.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
- This pasta salad is best served chilled or at room temperature.
- To make the recipe gluten-free, substitute the regular pasta with gluten-free pasta varieties.
Keywords: Creamy street corn pasta, Mexican pasta salad, cotija cheese pasta, summer pasta salad, cilantro lime pasta
Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/creamy-street-corn-pasta-recipe/
