Juicy Street Corn Pasta Salad (Printable)
Creamy pasta with charred corn, lime, chili and cotija for a bright, summery side in 30 minutes.
# What You'll 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, sliced
→ Dressing
07 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
09 - 1 lime, juiced
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
# Directions:
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 to cool. 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. Skip this step if using pre-roasted corn.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
04 - Add cooked pasta, charred corn, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Fold in crumbled cheese and chopped jalapeño, if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with more lime juice, salt, or chili powder as desired.
06 - Transfer salad to a serving platter. Top with extra cheese, cilantro, and lime wedges. Chill for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor; serve cold or at room temperature.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The creamy, smoky dressing pulls all the flavors together in a way that will have people guessing your secret.
- It’s quick to throw together but looks (and tastes) like you spent ages plotting it out.
02 -
- Overcooked pasta means a mushy salad, so start tasting early and rinse as soon as it’s ready.
- Charred corn absolutely elevates this dish—don’t skip the skillet step unless you have truly great pre-roasted corn on hand.
03 -
- Never skip tasting as you mix—ingredients vary, so trust your palate above all.
- The edge of a hot skillet brings out smoky corn flavor you’ll crave all summer.