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Fresh Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cotija and Lime

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A fresh, vibrant pasta salad featuring smoky charred corn, tangy lime, and crumbly cotija cheese. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 3 ears fresh corn, husked and kernels cut off (about 2 cups)
  • ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • Juice of 2 limes (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside.
  2. Husk the ears of corn and carefully cut off the kernels using a sharp knife (about 2 cups of kernels).
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until charred spots appear, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup mayonnaise, juice of 2 limes, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta, charred corn, chopped jalapeño (if using), and chopped cilantro. Pour the dressing over and mix gently until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Sprinkle ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese over the salad and fold it in lightly.
  7. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors before serving. It can be served chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

If fresh corn is unavailable, use thawed frozen corn sautéed briefly to mimic sweetness and char. For dairy-free, substitute cotija with vegan cheese or toasted pumpkin seeds and mayo with vegan mayo or avocado dressing. Rinsing pasta with cold water prevents mushiness. Adjust lime juice to taste after mixing. The salad tastes better after chilling overnight. Add a splash of lime juice or olive oil if dry after chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, street corn, cotija cheese, lime, summer recipe, easy pasta salad, grilled corn, creamy dressing

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/fresh-street-corn-pasta-salad-recipe-with-cotija-and-lime-easy-homemade-summer-dish/