Mexican Street Corn Pasta (Printable)

Creamy pasta salad with charred corn, lime zest, and smoky spices for a fresh summer side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
03 - ½ small red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
05 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

07 - ⅓ cup mayonnaise (about 90 g)
08 - ⅓ cup sour cream (about 90 g)
09 - ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled (about 60 g) or feta as substitute
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1 lime, zested and juiced
12 - 1 tsp chili powder
13 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp ground cumin
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish (optional)

16 - Extra cotija cheese
17 - Additional cilantro
18 - Lime wedges
19 - Chili powder or Tajín for sprinkling

# How-To Steps:

01 - Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and sauté dry or with a small amount of oil for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly charred. Remove from heat and let cool.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, minced garlic, lime zest and juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Add cooled pasta, charred corn, diced red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions to the dressing. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
05 - Taste and modify salt, pepper, or spices as needed to balance flavors.
06 - Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with extra cotija cheese, cilantro, chili powder or Tajín, and lime wedges as desired.
07 - Serve chilled or at room temperature for best flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer in a bowl—sweet corn, bright lime, and a whisper of heat that doesn't overwhelm.
  • The charred corn adds a subtle smokiness that transforms ordinary kernels into something special.
  • You can make it ahead, which means less stress when you're hosting or bringing something to a gathering.
02 -
  • Don't skip charring the corn—raw corn in this salad tastes one-dimensional, but charred corn adds depth that transforms the entire dish.
  • Make sure the pasta is completely cool before mixing, otherwise the warm pasta will soften the dressing and make everything mushy instead of creamy.
03 -
  • Always taste the dressing before adding pasta—this is your chance to dial in the seasoning without having to season everything.
  • Keep the pasta slightly underdone because it will continue to soften as the dressing coats it and it chills.
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