Description
Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad is the ultimate summer side dish packed with charred sweet corn, tender rotini, cotija cheese, fresh lime, and a zesty chili-lime dressing. This Mexican-inspired pasta salad is perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and easy meal prep lunches. Creamy, smoky, tangy, and loaded with bold flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 3 cups sweet corn kernels
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and cool.
- 2. Char corn in a hot skillet until golden and slightly blackened.
- 3. Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- 4. Combine cooled pasta, corn, red onion, cilantro, and half the cheese.
- 5. Fold in dressing until evenly coated.
- 6. Gently stir in diced avocado.
- 7. Top with remaining cheese and extra lime before serving.
- 8. Chill 30 minutes for best flavor.
Notes
- Salt pasta water generously for better flavor.
- Let corn sit undisturbed to develop char.
- Cool pasta completely before mixing.
- Add avocado just before serving if making ahead.
- Adjust lime and salt after chilling.
- Store in airtight container up to 4 days.
- Not freezer-friendly due to creamy dressing.
- Add grilled chicken or beans for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad, Mexican street corn salad, elote pasta salad, summer pasta salad, BBQ side dish