Street Corn Pasta Salad (Print Version)
A vibrant Mexican-inspired dish blending pasta with roasted corn, creamy cotija, fresh herbs, zesty chili butter and tangy lime mayo.
# Ingredients:
→ For the Dressing
01 -
1/3 cup sour cream
02 -
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
03 -
3/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta)
04 -
2 tbsp olive oil
05 -
1-2 garlic cloves, freshly grated
06 -
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
07 -
Salt and pepper to taste
→ For the Salad
08 -
1 lb short pasta (rotini, fusilli, or farfalle)
09 -
2 cups grilled or roasted corn
10 -
1/2 cup spicy cheddar cheese, diced
11 -
1/2 cup fresh basil, torn
12 -
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
13 -
1 avocado, diced
14 -
1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
→ For the Chili Butter
15 -
4 tbsp salted butter
16 -
2 tbsp chili powder
17 -
2 tsp smoked paprika
18 -
1/2-2 tsp cayenne pepper, to taste
→ For the Lime Mayo Dressing
19 -
1/4 cup mayonnaise
20 -
2 tbsp lime juice
# Steps:
01 -
In a large salad bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, olive oil, grated garlic, chopped chives, and crumbled cotija cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This creates the flavorful base for the entire salad.
02 -
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta and immediately toss with the prepared dressing in the salad bowl. Add shredded romaine, roasted corn, diced spicy cheddar, torn basil, chopped cilantro, and diced avocado. Gently toss everything together to ensure even distribution.
03 -
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat until golden. Add chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook for an additional minute to bloom the spices, then remove from heat. This adds a flavorful, spicy element to the finished dish.
04 -
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise with fresh lime juice and a pinch of salt. This bright, creamy dressing balances the spicy notes from the chili butter while adding refreshing tanginess.
05 -
Serve the pasta salad warm or chilled according to preference. Drizzle with the lime mayo dressing and spoon the chili butter over the top. For enhanced flavor development, allow the salad to rest briefly before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
This street corn pasta salad will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors improve after a day as ingredients meld together.
02 -
For make-ahead preparation, cook pasta, prepare corn, and mix dressing up to one day in advance. Store components separately, then combine with fresh ingredients just before serving.
03 -
When serving from the refrigerator, allow the salad to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, then toss with a fresh squeeze of lime juice to rejuvenate flavors.
04 -
This versatile dish pairs excellently with grilled protein like chicken skewers, blackened shrimp, carne asada, or chicken fajitas.