Juicy Street Corn Pasta (Printer-Friendly)
Bright, creamy pasta salad with charred corn, cotija, cilantro, lime and smoky spices - ideal for summer.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
→ Vegetables & Herbs
02 - 2 cups corn kernels, fresh, canned, or thawed frozen
03 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 2 green onions, sliced
→ Dressing
07 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
09 - 1 lime, juiced
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Mix-Ins & Garnishes
15 - 3/4 cup cotija or feta cheese, crumbled
16 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (optional)
17 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Prepare pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred. Skip this step if using pre-roasted corn.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.
04 - Add the cooked pasta, charred corn, diced red onion, diced red bell pepper, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions to the bowl. Toss thoroughly until everything is coated in the dressing.
05 - Gently fold in crumbled cotija or feta cheese and chopped jalapeño, if using. Taste and adjust with additional lime juice, salt, or chili powder as needed.
06 - Top with extra cheese, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. For best flavor, chill in the refrigerator before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It brings all the cozy, bold street corn flavors into a creamy, satisfying salad you can make ahead.
- The recipe saves the day for casual gatherings—and secretly impresses everyone, even on hectic weeknights.
02 -
- If the pasta is still warm when you mix the dressing, it soaks it up and leaves the salad dry—wait until it’s fully cool.
- Charring the corn, even if it feels like an extra step, absolutely transforms the flavor—you’ll never want to skip it again.
03 -
- Always char at least some of the corn, even if you use canned; the flavor leap is incredible.
- Mix up the salad with your hands for gentle but even coverage, and a little extra love.