Description
Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish inspired by Mexican street corn, featuring tender pasta, charred corn, and a creamy, lime-spiked dressing. Loaded with fresh herbs, avocado, and smoky spices, this pasta salad is a perfect side for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Creamy Cheese Dressing:
- 4 ounces room temperature cream cheese
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1–2 grated garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives (chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese
Salad:
- 1 pound short pasta
- 1 head romaine lettuce (shredded)
- 2 cups grilled or roasted corn (from 3–4 fresh ears)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil (torn)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1/2 cup spicy cheddar cheese (diced)
- 1 avocado (diced)
Chili Butter:
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/2 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (adjust to preference)
Lime Mayo Dressing:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise or yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Creamy Cheese Dressing: In a large salad bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese, sour cream, extra virgin olive oil, grated garlic, chopped fresh chives, salt, pepper, and crumbled cotija or feta cheese. Mix well.
- Cook Pasta & Combine Salad: Cook short pasta until al dente. Drain immediately and toss the hot pasta with the prepared dressing in the salad bowl. Add shredded romaine lettuce, grilled or roasted corn, torn fresh basil, chopped fresh cilantro, diced spicy cheddar cheese, and diced avocado. Toss everything thoroughly to combine.
- Make the Chili Butter: In a skillet over medium heat, melt salted butter until golden. Stir in smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper (adjust to preference), and a pinch of salt. Cook for one minute to allow spices to bloom, then remove from heat.
- Make the Lime Mayo Dressing: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise (or yogurt) with fresh lime juice and a pinch of salt until well combined.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the pasta salad warm or cold, as preferred. Drizzle with the Lime Mayo Dressing and top with a generous spoonful of the Chili Butter. For deeper flavors, let the salad sit for a bit before serving.
Notes
- This pasta salad can be made ahead of time and refrigerated, making it great for meal prep or picnics.
- Adjust the spice levels by varying the amount of cayenne pepper in the dressing and chili butter.
- For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut yogurt as substitutes.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing, Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad, Mexican-inspired, pasta salad recipe, street corn flavors, creamy dressing, lime mayo, chili butter, fresh herbs, avocado, smoky spices
