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Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe

4.4 from 117 reviews

A vibrant and creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad combining tender pasta, sweet corn, and tangy cotija cheese, all brought together with a luscious mayo-based dressing. Perfectly chilled for a refreshing side dish or light meal, this salad captures the essence of Mexican street corn in a pasta form.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or small pasta

Corn

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. Prepare Corn: If using fresh corn, cook in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain and cool. If using frozen corn, thaw and drain excess liquid.
  3. Make Dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, crumbled cotija cheese, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until smooth and creamy.
  4. Combine Salad: Add the cooled pasta and corn to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
  5. Chill and Serve: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled as a delightful side dish or light meal.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add chopped cilantro and a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
  • Grilled corn can be used for a smoky taste instead of boiled corn.
  • If cotija cheese is unavailable, feta cheese makes a good substitute.
  • This salad can be made a day in advance and kept refrigerated.

Keywords: street corn pasta salad, Mexican pasta salad, cotija cheese salad, creamy pasta salad, summer pasta salad