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Flavorful Street Corn Pasta Salad with Easy Creamy Chipotle Dressing

street corn pasta salad - featured image
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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring roasted corn and a smoky, creamy chipotle dressing. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or weeknight dinners with a unique twist on classic comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels, roasted or charred
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • Juice of 1 large lime
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to char and develop a golden-brown color (about 6-8 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, juice of 1 lime, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, roasted corn, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 3 sliced green onions, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
  5. Pour the creamy chipotle dressing over the pasta mixture. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated. If the dressing feels too thick, add a splash of water or lime juice to loosen it up.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Give it a quick stir before serving.

Notes

Roasting the corn is key to adding smoky sweetness. Rinsing pasta under cold water stops cooking and prevents mushiness. Adjust chipotle peppers to control heat. For dairy-free, substitute mayo and sour cream with vegan alternatives and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Salad tastes better after chilling for a few hours. Add cotija cheese before serving for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, street corn, chipotle dressing, creamy, smoky, easy recipe, potluck, BBQ, vegetarian option

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/flavorful-street-corn-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-creamy-chipotle-dressing/