Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

User Reviews

5

12 reviews
Excellent

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

This Mexican street corn pasta salad mixes small shell pasta with lightly charred corn, cotija cheese, jalapeños, and a creamy lime dressing. The dish offers a balance of textures with tender pasta, crunchy charred corn, and the crumbly salty cheese. Flavorful spices like chili powder and cayenne pepper add mild heat, while fresh cilantro and garlic brighten the salad. It’s a flavorful side or light meal that pairs well with tortilla chips or as a refreshing addition to summer menus.

Description

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad brings together al dente small shell pasta tossed with charred corn kernels that have been cooked to develop a slight smokiness. Diced red onion and jalapeños contribute freshness and heat, while crumbled cotija cheese adds a salty, crumbly element. The dressing combines mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime juice, and zest, creating a creamy, tangy coating that binds the salad.

Seasonings like chili powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper are folded in to complement the corn’s natural sweetness and provide lively spice without overwhelming the dish. Fresh cilantro adds herbal brightness before serving. This salad can be served alongside grilled meats or enjoyed with tortilla chips and lime wedges, enhancing its street-food inspiration.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 1/2 cups small shell pasta dry
  • 10 oz corn frozen, fresh or canned
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese crumbled
  • 1 red onion diced, small
  • 2 jalapeños seeds removed and chopped
  • 1/3 cup cilantro chopped, fresh
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste, sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste, ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Lime Dressing:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta:

  1. First, boil pasta according to the package directions aiming for al dente.
  2. Drain and set aside in a large bowl. Drizzle with a bit of oil and gently stir.

Cook corn:

  1. If using frozen corn, first thaw it. If using canned corn, first drain it very well.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the corn. Just place a non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook the corn stirring for 6-8 minutes.
  3. The corn is ready when it's lightly charred. You can also add a bit of spice to it: paprika, cumin, and garlic powder.

Make the dressing:

  1. Mix all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and set it aside.

Assemble the pasta salad:

  1. Add the rest of the ingredients to the large bowl with cooled pasta and gently stir to combine.
  2. Next, add the creamy salad dressing and stir until everything is well coated.
  3. Finally, serve with tortilla chips and lime wedges on the side.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 529kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 46g (15%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 34g (52%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 17g (100%) Monounsaturated Fat 8g (40%) Trans Fat 0.1g (5%) Cholesterol 34mg (11%) Sodium 502mg (21%) Potassium 317mg (7%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 497IU (10%) Vitamin C 13mg (14%) Calcium 110mg (11%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 529 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 529kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 46g 15%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 34g 52%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 17g 100%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 502mg 21%
Potassium 317mg 7%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 497IU 10%
Vitamin C 13mg 14%
Calcium 110mg 11%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

5

12 reviews
Excellent

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