Street Corn Pasta Salad

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This Street Corn Pasta Salad combines tender cavatappi noodles, sweet roasted corn, red onion, green onions, cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro in a creamy lime dressing seasoned with chili powder and paprika.

Packed with bold Mexican street corn-inspired flavor, it’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for BBQs, potlucks, cookouts, and summer dinners.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• Packed with bold Mexican street corn-inspired flavors.
• Perfect for BBQs, cookouts, potlucks, and picnics.
• Great make-ahead recipe since the flavors improve as it chills.
• Pairs well with grilled chicken, burgers, steak, tacos, and more.
• Easy to customize with extra vegetables or protein.
• Feeds a crowd without breaking the budget.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 lb cavatappi noodles, uncooked
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cups frozen corn (fresh or canned also work)
• ⅓ cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup green onions, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup Cojita cheese, crumbled
• Dressing
• 1 ½ cups mayo
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• Garnish
• additional crumbled Cojita cheese, smoked paprika and cracked black pepper

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!

 Step by Step Instructions

 STEP 1: 

I cooked some cavatappi noodles according to the directions on the package.

Then I drained the noodles and rinsed them well with cold water to cool them down quickly.

 STEP 2: 

While the noodles were cooking I dropped some butter into a skillet over medium-high heat.

When the butter was melted I added frozen corn to the skillet and cooked it until it started to brown.

Then I set the corn aside to cool while I prepared the dressing.

 STEP 3: 

I dropped some mayo and sour cream into a small glass mixing bowl.

I added some freshly squeezed lime juice and lime zest to the bowl.

 STEP 4: 

I added chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and cracked black pepper to the bowl.

I stirred all of the ingredients together until well combined.

 STEP 5: 

I poured the cooked noodles into a large bowl and added the corn.

 STEP 6: 

I added my prepared dressing to the bowl and then stirred until all of the noodles were well coated.

 STEP 7: 

I added some chopped red onions and green onions to the bowl.

I also added some chopped cilantra and crumbled cojita cheese to the bowl.

I stirred until all of the ingredients were well combined.

 STEP 8: 

I sprinkled some additional crumbled cojita, smoked paprika and cracked black pepper on top.

Then I covered the bowl and placed it in the refrigerator to chill for two hours before serving.

Every bite of this Street Corn Pasta Salad is loaded with creamy, tangy, smoky flavor and plenty of satisfying texture.

The tender cavatappi noodles, sweet roasted corn, salty cotija cheese, crisp onions, and fresh cilantro all come together in the zesty lime dressing to create the perfect balance of flavors.

Whether you’re enjoying it alongside grilled meats at a summer cookout or sneaking a forkful straight from the fridge, this refreshing pasta salad is guaranteed to leave you reaching for seconds.

If you are looking for a delicious side dish for your summer gathering, then you need to try this Street Corn Pasta Salad!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make Street Corn Pasta Salad ahead of time?

• Yes! This pasta salad is actually even better after it has chilled for a few hours. Making it ahead gives the flavors time to blend together and allows the dressing to soak into the pasta.

How long does Street Corn Pasta Salad last in the fridge?

• Stored in an airtight container, this pasta salad will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before serving and add a splash of lime juice or a spoonful of mayo if needed.

What can I use instead of cotija cheese?

• If you can’t find cotija cheese, feta cheese is the best substitute. It has a similar salty, crumbly texture that works well in this pasta salad.

Can I make this pasta salad spicy?

• Yes! Add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or extra chili powder to give the salad a spicy kick.

 

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