Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad That’ll Make You Dance: Mexican Street Corn Style!

Hey, have you ever just *craved* something so bad that you couldn’t think of anything else? Like, I mean, you’re sitting there at work (or home, whatever) and suddenly all you can think about is the taste of sweet corn, creamy goodness, and a little zing from lime? Oh, just me? Well, buckle up, ’cause I’m about to spill the beans (and corn) on my latest obsession—Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad! 🤤

Main dish photo
The finished dish — looks amazing, right?

Okay, Let’s Talk Ingredients

So, picture this: you’re in the grocery store, and you’re like, “I need stuff for pasta salad that’s gonna make everyone go *wow*!” Here’s what you’re gonna grab:

– 16 oz. rotini pasta (the curly kind, you know?)
– 4 bags of frozen fire-roasted corn (or 3 cans if you’re feeling lazy)
– Cotija cheese (or queso fresco if you’re fancy)
– Fresh cilantro (the more, the merrier!)
– Sour cream and mayo (the dynamic duo)
– A couple of limes (don’t skimp on those!)
– Olive oil, chili, garlic powder, cayenne (spice it up!)
– Salt & pepper (seriously, don’t forget!)

Just grab these from the shelf and you’re halfway there. Easy peasy, right?

So Here’s Why I Make This Constantly

Okay, so here’s the deal. This salad isn’t just *any* salad. I whipped it up for a potluck last summer, and let me tell you, it disappeared faster than I could say “pass the chips!” Like, I barely got a spoonful before my friends were all, “Where’s the rest?” 😂

And there’s this one friend who actually asked for the recipe to impress their date, and now I’m like a salad *legend* or something.

Plus, it’s freakin’ versatile. Hanging out with friends? Done. Random Tuesday night? Yup! BBQs? HELLO, they’ll love you. 🥳

Another beautiful angle of the dish
Just as gorgeous from this angle too!

(Another beautiful shot because we can’t get enough!)

Here’s another angle of this beauty, because how could I not?

The One Trick That Changes Everything

Now listen closely: the *cooling the pasta* part? It’s key! So, once you drain it, toss it with some olive oil and let it chill out. Either set it aside or pop it in the fridge. Seriously, if you skip this step, you’ll end up with a mushy mess.

Don’t Mess This Up (My Top Tips)

Alright, my friend, let me save you some heartache here:

1. Don’t overcook the pasta! You want that perfect al dente bite, not mushy noodles.
2. Season your pasta! Seriously, just a little salt and pepper while it’s cooling goes a long way.
3. Taste the dressing! Adjust the lime—if you love citrus, go wild! If too tangy, add more sour cream. You’re the boss here.

How to Keep Them From Disappearing (Or, How to Store Them)

If, by some miracle, you have leftovers (which, let’s be real, probably won’t happen), keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 3 days, but I’d say best enjoyed fresh.

If You Liked This, You’ll Probably Like These Too

Honestly, if you’re into this salad, you gotta try my other faves:
Mediterranean Orzo Salad – it’s a vibe, trust me.
Caprese Pasta Salad – tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella? Yes, please!

So, what do you think? Are you ready to make this pasta salad magic happen? Or do you have your own go-to summer dish? Hit me up! 🍽️✨

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Flavor-packed Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad with amazing ingredients and incredible taste! Perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
20 minutes

Category: Dinner
Yield: 10 servings servings

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. rotini pasta
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 4 (10 oz.) bags frozen fire-roasted corn (cooked according to package directions) or 3 (15 oz.) cans of corn, drained
  • 1 cup cVanilla Extract (Alcohol-Free)bled Cotija or queso fresco cheese
  • 1/3 cup freshly chopped cilantro + more for garnish
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • a couple pinches cayenne pepper
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest
  • Kosher salt
  • fresh cracked pepper
  • Instructions

    1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Toss with 2 teaspoons olive oil, salt, and pepper and set aside to cool to room temperature. Or pop in the fridge to speed up the cooling process.
    2. In a medium bowl combine sour cream, mayo, 2 tablespoons olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, lime zest and juice, and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper.
    3. id=”instruction-step-3″>3. Add cooled pasta, corn, Cotija, and cilantro to a large bowl.
    4. id=”instruction-step-4″>4. Pour most of the dressing over the pasta.
    5. id=”instruction-step-5″>5.  Toss until everything is well coated.
    6. d=”instruction-step-6″>6. Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle with the remaining dressing, and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

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