Description
A refreshing and creamy pasta salad featuring sweet corn, vibrant vegetables, and a zesty lime dressing, perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup green onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 lime (juiced and zested)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese (or feta cheese for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by cooking the pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- If you’re using fresh corn, grill or boil it until tender, then cut the kernels off the cob. If using frozen corn, thaw and drain. For canned corn, simply drain it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta, corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, chopped green onion, and chopped cilantro to the dressing. Gently mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Taste the salad and adjust seasonings if necessary. You can add more salt, pepper, or lime juice to suit your preference.
- Carefully fold in the cotija cheese to avoid breaking it apart.
- Transfer the pasta salad to a serving bowl, garnish with extra cilantro and cotija cheese on top.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve cold as a refreshing side dish at summer barbecues or picnics. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with plant-based alternatives.
- Feel free to add avocado or black beans for extra texture and flavor.
- This salad can be made a day in advance, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and chilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg