Description
Perfect Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and delicious twist on traditional pasta salad, inspired by the beloved flavors of Mexican street corn. This dish combines creamy cotija cheese, sweet corn, and a hint of spice from jalapeños, making it an irresistible option for picnics, potlucks, or barbecues. With just a few simple steps and minimal cooking involved, you can whip up this crowd-pleaser that everyone will love. Serve it chilled to allow the flavors to meld beautifully, and watch as your guests come back for seconds!
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or penne
- 3 cups sweet corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add corn and jalapeño (if using) and sauté for about 5 minutes until tender.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with sautéed corn mixture, cilantro, cotija cheese, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator 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 (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: For added texture and flavor, consider mixing in diced avocado or black beans. If you prefer more heat, leave the seeds in the jalapeño or add extra chili powder. This salad can be made ahead of time for meal prep or entertaining.