This Mexican street corn pasta salad is a delicious side dish that pairs nicely with so many different recipes. Made with fresh corn on the cob, pasta, and all the flavors of street corn in an easy pasta salad recipe.
If you live in Texas or have ever been to an exceptionally good authentic Mexican restaurant, then you might have experienced the pure joy that is Mexican street corn. My family and I love this stuff. It’s a Mexican treat the likes of which you’ve never experienced before. Loaded with spices, sour cream, and more, Mexican street corn is an absolute treasure. It’s one of my favorite side dishes of all time.
Another of my favorite side dishes to make is pasta salad. I love the texture of the pasta and combining that texture with a rich, creamy base and delicious ingredients. I love both of these so much that I decided I might as well put them together and see what happened. What happened was that I got something more delicious than I could have imagined.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This recipe combines the spicy, smoky flavor of Mexican street corn with a creamy street corn dressing and pasta to create a truly unique take on pasta salad. Dilanti pasta is mixed with roasted whole kernel corn, Mexican spices, and a rich dressing made with sour cream, mayo, lime juice, cheese, and more spices. Every bite explodes with Mexican street corn flavor. It’s perfect for Taco Tuesdays, potlucks, or as a delicious side.
Why You’ll Love This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- It’s full of the delicious flavors of Mexican street corn made into pasta salad.
- It’s super easy to make.
- And, it’s a delicious side that pairs well with many other dishes.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Variations
You can add other ingredients to this pasta salad to change it up in a few different ways. Try adding one or all of the following.
- Bell pepper
- Red onion
- Green onion
- Diced jalapeno
- Bacon
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad FAQ
If you have questions about this recipe, read on. The following FAQ answers the commonly asked questions about this recipe.
What is Mexican street corn?
It’s a popular street food originating in Mexico. Roasted corn on the cob is covered in butter, herbs, and crumbled cheese and served to passersby.
How do you keep pasta from soaking up dressing?
Toss it with oil of some kind to create a protective barrier between the pasta and the dressing.
Should you let pasta cool before adding mayo?
Not at all. There’s no reason to wait until the pasta is cool to add mayo or the pasta salad dressing.
Can street corn pasta salad be made in advance?
Absolutely. Pasta salad is good for several days, and the longer it sets, the more the flavors meld together.
How to Roast Corn in a Skillet
Add cooked corn to a skillet with oil and cook until the corn starts to brown. That’s all there is to it!
What to Serve with Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
You can serve this pasta salad with almost any Mexican food you like. It also makes a great side for beef, chicken, and pork. Some excellent serving ideas include:
- Steak fajitas
- Pork carnitas
- Burritos
- Tacos
- Steak
- Seared chicken
- Seared pork chops
- Enchiladas
How to Store Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
You can store this pasta salad in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Ingredients
It only takes simple ingredients to make all parts of this recipe. You can find them all easily at your local grocery store.
For the Roasted Corn
- Ears of corn, husks & silks removed
- Olive oil
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Cayenne pepper
For the Pasta
For the Street Corn Dressing
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Lime juice
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper
- Cotija cheese
- Fresh cilantro
How to Make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Making this recipe is actually very easy. The hardest part will be removing the corn from the cob, and even that isn’t very difficult. You just need a sharp knife.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Then drain and rinse it and toss it with olive oil in a large bowl. Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Corn
Add the corn ears to a large pot of boiling water and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and allow to cool. Then, remove the corn from the cob using a sharp knife to cut the corn away just where it meets the ear.
Step 3: Roast the Corn
Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Then, add the corn and sprinkle it with the seasonings. Cook until the cork is slightly brown. Remove the grilled corn kernels from the heat and allow it to cool completely. While the corn cools, make the dressing.
Step 4: Finish the Pasta Salad
Add sour cream, mayo, lime juice, and seasonings to a small mixing bowl. Stir to combine, and add to the pasta in the other bowl. Reserve a little dressing for topping the pasta salad, if desired. Then, add the corn, cotija cheese, and cilantro to the pasta and toss to mix the ingredients. Drizzle with the reserved dressing and enjoy.
Try This Delicious Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Today
This Mexican street corn pasta salad is loaded with the delicious flavor of street corn and the great texture of pasta. It’s a delicious side that pairs well with any Mexican dish along with beef, pork, and chicken. It’s a dish that everyone loves, and there never seems to be any leftovers! Give this recipe a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
More Delicious Mexican Food Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Spanish Rice – This easy rice recipe is made with simple ingredients and is the perfect side dish for your favorite Mexican main dish.
Crock Pot Spicy Charro Beans – These charro beans are loaded with flavor and spices.
Cilantro Lime Rice with Black Beans and Corn – This side dish recipe is loaded with perfectly cooked brown rice, black beans, and corn. This rice is great as a side dish but can even be eaten as a main meal. Wrap this up in a flour tortilla and you’ll have a delicious bean and rice burrito.
And here is a delicious Enchilada Party Dip recipe from Deliciously Seasoned that you may enjoy too!
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a quick and easy side dish that pairs perfectly with your favorite Mexican dish.
Ingredients
For the Roasted Corn
- 8 ears of corn, husks & silks removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Pasta
- 16 ounce box Dilanti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Street Corn Dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Cojita cheese
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, add to a large bowl and toss with olive oil (this helps keep the dressing from soaking into the pasta).
For the Roasted Corn
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In a large pot, bring water to a boil over medium high heat. Add fresh ears of corn and cook for 5-7 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
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Remove corn from the cob.
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In a large frying pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
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Add corn, sprinkle with seasonings and cook until the corn is slightly brown.
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Remove from heat and let cool completely.
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While the corn is cooling, make the dressing.
For the Street Corn Dressing
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In a small mixing bowl, add sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and seasonings. Stir to combine (save a little dressing for drizzling over the top, if desired) and add to pasta. Stir.
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Add corn, Cojita cheese, and cilantro to pasta. Toss to mix ingredients.
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Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat evenly and enjoy!
Notes
Nutritional values are approximate.
Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.
Nutrition
Calories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 15gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 214mgPotassium: 455mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 908IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 148mgIron: 1mg
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