Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the classic flavors of Mexican street corn (elote) with pasta for a satisfying salad. This recipe features sweet corn, creamy dressing, and zesty spices, making it a perfect side dish for barbecues, picnics, or potlucks. It’s easy to prepare and can be served warm or cold!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (any shape, such as rotini or penne)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (or cotija cheese)
- 1 avocado, diced (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Timing
Making Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad takes about 15 minutes for preparation and 10-12 minutes for cooking the pasta.
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Boil Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Corn
- Cook Corn: If using fresh corn, you can grill or sauté it in a skillet until slightly charred. If using frozen corn, simply thaw it. For canned corn, drain and rinse.
Step 3: Mix the Salad
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, diced bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and feta cheese (and avocado if using).
Step 4: Make the Dressing
- Mix Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Step 5: Combine Salad and Dressing
- Toss Together: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Step 6: Serve
- Chill (Optional): For best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve as a side dish or a light main course!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad (per serving, based on 6 servings):
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 |
| Protein | 8g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Sugar | 3g |
Tips for Customization
- Add Protein: Incorporate cooked chicken, shrimp, or black beans for a heartier salad.
- Spice Level: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or corn salsa for added flavor and nutrition.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld as it sits, making it even more delicious!
Conclusion
Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a colorful and flavorful dish that brings the taste of Mexican street corn to your table in a fun and easy way. With its creamy dressing and fresh ingredients, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering!
Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe ### Overview **Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad** is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the classic flavors of Mexican street corn (elote) with pasta for a satisfying salad. This recipe features sweet corn, creamy dressing, and zesty spices, making it a perfect side dish for barbecues, picnics, or potlucks. It’s easy to prepare and can be served warm or cold! ### Ingredients - **8 ounces pasta** (any shape, such as rotini or penne) - **1 cup corn kernels** (fresh, frozen, or canned) - **1 red bell pepper**, diced - **1/2 cup red onion**, finely chopped - **1/2 cup chopped cilantro** - **1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese** (or cotija cheese) - **1 avocado**, diced (optional) #### For the Dressing: - **1/4 cup mayonnaise** - **1/4 cup Greek yogurt** (or sour cream) - **2 tablespoons lime juice** - **1 teaspoon chili powder** - **1/2 teaspoon garlic powder** - **Salt and pepper**, to taste ### Timing Making **Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad** takes about **15 minutes** for preparation and **10-12 minutes** for cooking the pasta. ### Instructions #### Step 1: Cook the Pasta 1. **Boil Pasta**: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. #### Step 2: Prepare the Corn 1. **Cook Corn**: If using fresh corn, you can grill or sauté it in a skillet until slightly charred. If using frozen corn, simply thaw it. For canned corn, drain and rinse. #### Step 3: Mix the Salad 1. **Combine Ingredients**: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, diced bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and feta cheese (and avocado if using). #### Step 4: Make the Dressing 1. **Mix Dressing**: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. #### Step 5: Combine Salad and Dressing 1. **Toss Together**: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. #### Step 6: Serve 1. **Chill (Optional)**: For best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least **30 minutes** before serving. 2. **Enjoy**: Serve as a side dish or a light main course! ### Nutritional Information Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of **Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad** (per serving, based on 6 servings): | Nutrient | Amount per Serving | |-------------------|------------------------| | Calories | 250 | | Protein | 8g | | Fat | 12g | | Carbohydrates | 30g | | Sugar | 3g | ### Tips for Customization - **Add Protein**: Incorporate cooked chicken, shrimp, or black beans for a heartier salad. - **Spice Level**: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat. - **Vegetable Variations**: Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or corn salsa for added flavor and nutrition. ### Storage Instructions Store any leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to **3 days**. The flavors will continue to meld as it sits, making it even more delicious! ### Conclusion **Easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad** is a colorful and flavorful dish that brings the taste of Mexican street corn to your table in a fun and easy way. With its creamy dressing and fresh ingredients, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering!
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
15 minutes
Total Time:
25 minutes
Ingredients
- • 8 ounces pasta (any shape, such as rotini or penne)
- • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- • 1 red bell pepper, diced
- • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (or cotija cheese)
- • 1 avocado, diced (optional)
- For the Dressing:
- • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- • 2 tablespoons lime juice
- • 1 teaspoon chili powder
- • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- • Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Cook Corn: If using fresh corn, you can grill or sauté it in a skillet until slightly charred. If using frozen corn, simply thaw it. For canned corn, drain and rinse.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, diced bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and feta cheese (and avocado if using).
- Mix Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss Together: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Chill (Optional): For best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve as a side dish or a light main course!
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Step 2: Prepare the Corn
Step 3: Mix the Salad
Step 4: Make the Dressing
Step 5: Combine Salad and Dressing
Step 6: Serve
