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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad That Will WOW Your Guests

This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant twist on a classic favorite, featuring sweet corn, creamy dressing, and zesty lime.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Elbow Macaroni or Penne Cook until al dente
For the Corn
  • 2 cups Sweet Corn Kernels (Fresh or Frozen) Fresh is best but frozen works well
  • 2 tablespoons Butter Can substitute with olive oil for vegan option
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Use vegan mayo for plant-based option
  • 2 tablespoons Lime Juice Freshly squeezed is best
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika Adjust to taste
For the Garnish
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Cilantro Leaves Parsley can be used as a substitute
  • 1/2 cup Cotija Cheese Can be substituted or omitted for vegan option
  • 1 whole Jalapeño Pepper Optional; omit for milder flavor
Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Salt To taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper To taste

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Colander
  • mixing bowl
  • Airtight Container

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni or penne according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add sweet corn kernels and cook for 8-10 minutes until charred.
  3. Remove from heat, stir in chili powder and smoked paprika, and allow to cool.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, charred corn, mayonnaise, lime juice, cotija cheese, cilantro, and jalapeño. Toss gently to coat.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Ideal for potlucks and summer gatherings.

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