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Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cotija Cheese

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A vibrant and creamy pasta salad featuring smoky charred corn, tangy cotija cheese, and a zesty lime dressing, perfect for summer parties and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or elbow macaroni pasta
  • 3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears) or frozen corn
  • 3/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • Juice of 2 fresh limes (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups of fresh corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is charred in spots, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
  4. Add the cooled pasta and charred corn to the dressing. Toss gently to coat evenly.
  5. Fold in crumbled cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Toss gently before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Chill the pasta after cooking to stop the cooking process and maintain texture. Char the corn well but avoid burning to prevent bitterness. Adjust salt based on cotija cheese saltiness. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo and nutritional yeast instead of cotija cheese. Flavors improve after chilling for at least 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, street corn, cotija cheese, summer recipe, creamy pasta salad, barbecue side dish, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/creamy-street-corn-pasta-salad-with-cotija-cheese-easy-recipe-for-summer-parties/