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Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad: Your New Favorite Side!

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This Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant explosion of flavor that combines the irresistible tastes of Mexican street corn with hearty pasta. Perfect for summer gatherings, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

  • Short pasta (rotini, cavatappi, elbow macaroni, or medium shells)
  • Fresh corn (or frozen corn, thawed, or canned corn, drained)
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sour cream or Mexican crema
  • Freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Cotija cheese (or crumbled feta cheese as a substitute)
  • Red onion, finely diced
  • Cilantro, roughly chopped
  • Jalapeño, diced (optional)
  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Smoked paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen short pasta and cook according to package directions until it's perfectly al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse it under cold water until it’s completely cool. Set aside to drain any excess water.
  2. Prepare the Corn: Grill or boil fresh corn cobs, then slice the kernels off. For frozen corn, thaw it completely. If using canned corn, drain it very well. Pan-sear the corn in a dry hot skillet until some kernels are lightly charred and caramelized.
  3. Chop the Veggies & Herbs: Finely dice the red onion and jalapeño (if using). Remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño for less heat. Roughly chop the fresh cilantro.
  4. Whip Up the Creamy Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Mexican crema), and freshly squeezed lime juice. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
  5. Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled pasta, prepared corn, diced red onion, diced jalapeño (if using), and about three-quarters of the crumbled Cotija cheese to the bowl with the dressing. Add most of the chopped cilantro.
  6. Toss and Chill: Gently toss all the ingredients together until evenly coated. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Before serving, stir the salad again. If the dressing has thickened, add a splash of milk or water to reach desired consistency. Garnish with remaining Cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of chili powder.

Nutrition

Keywords: Don't overcook the pasta; it should be al dente. Let the salad chill for at least 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning to your taste, and consider adding avocado, black beans, or bell peppers for extra flavor.

Find it online: https://softtasty.com/creamy-street-corn-pasta-salad-your-new-favorite-side/