Description
This Perfect Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant medley of flavors and textures, featuring tender pasta enveloped in a creamy, zesty dressing. Each bite bursts with the sweetness of corn, the crunch of fresh vegetables, and a hint of spice, making it a delightful dish for any occasion.
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
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, diced red bell pepper, red onion, and minced 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 well coated.
- Fold in the crumbled cotija cheese and chopped cilantro gently.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the 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: 4 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, summer salad, creamy pasta salad, corn salad, easy pasta salad, vegetarian salad, side dish, potluck recipe, fresh corn salad, zesty pasta salad