Description
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing twist on traditional pasta salads, perfect for summer gatherings. This recipe combines the bold flavors of Mexican elote with al dente pasta, creamy dressing, and sweet corn, creating a delightful dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side at barbecues and potlucks. With just 30 minutes of preparation, this crowd-pleaser not only dazzles the eyes with its colorful presentation but also tantalizes the taste buds with zesty lime juice, crumbled cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro. Whether served chilled or at room temperature, this salad is sure to impress family and friends alike while being customizable to suit individual tastes.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ditalini pasta
- 4 medium ears of corn
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup Mexican crema (or sour cream)
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil; let cool.
- Boil corn in water for 5 minutes until tender. Cool slightly before cutting kernels off the cob.
- Whisk together lime juice, mayonnaise, crema, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne in a bowl.
- Combine cooled pasta, corn, cilantro, and cotija cheese in a large bowl. Add dressing and mix well.
- Top with extra cilantro and cotija cheese before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling/Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: For added crunch, include diced bell peppers or red onion. Adjust the spice level by modifying cayenne pepper according to preference. Chill the salad for an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.