Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of the Perfect Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad, a delightful blend of pasta and traditional Mexican street corn-inspired ingredients. This refreshing dish is perfect for summer picnics, casual barbecues, or festive potlucks. With a creamy dressing complemented by zesty lime and spices, this salad is sure to impress your guests and quickly become a favorite at any gathering. Easy to prepare and visually stunning with its colorful presentation, it’s not only versatile as a side or main dish but also excellent for meal prep. Serve it chilled for the best flavor explosion in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or penne
- 3 cups sweet corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and cool under cold water.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté corn (and jalapeño if using) until slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta with sautéed corn. Pour dressing over and stir until evenly coated. Fold in cilantro and cheese.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg