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Perfect Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

The Perfect Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish that brings the beloved tastes of Mexican street corn right to your table. This refreshing salad combines tender pasta with sweet corn, zesty jalapeño, and a creamy dressing, making it an ideal choice for summer barbecues, picnics, or any festive gathering. Not only is it easy to prepare and versatile enough to serve as a side or main dish, but it also benefits from being made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Whether you’re hosting a potluck or simply enjoying a cozy dinner at home, this delightful pasta salad will surely impress everyone.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4

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

  1. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat and sauté corn and jalapeño for about 5-7 minutes until tender.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Combine cooked pasta with sautéed corn mixture in the bowl with dressing. Add cilantro and cotija cheese, and toss gently.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • Author: Natalia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 305
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 520mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Adjust jalapeño based on your heat preference. Experiment with different cheeses like feta or queso fresco.