Description
A vibrant and flavorful Street Corn Pasta Salad combining tender pasta with sweet corn, zesty lime dressing, and a hint of spice for a refreshing and satisfying side dish or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 pound pasta (any shape)
- 2 cups cooked corn kernels
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process.
- Make Dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and minced jalapeno pepper. Gently toss these ingredients together to distribute evenly.
- Add Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure every component is well coated with the dressing.
- Fold in Cilantro: Add the freshly chopped cilantro to the salad and fold it in carefully, enhancing the flavor and texture.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly before serving.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you prefer, but smaller shapes like penne or rotini hold the dressing well.
- For a spicier kick, leave the jalapeno seeds in or add extra chili powder.
- May substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
- Make sure to cool the pasta completely before mixing to prevent the dressing from breaking down.
- This salad tastes best after chilling but can be served immediately if short on time.
