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Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe with Tajín Crema and Cotija Cheese

creamy street corn pasta salad - featured image
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A creamy and flavorful pasta salad featuring smoky street corn, tangy Tajín crema, and salty Cotija cheese. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears) or frozen corn
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons Tajín seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • ¾ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing corn)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini or elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups fresh corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes until lightly charred and fragrant. If using frozen corn, thaw and dry well before sautéing. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons Tajín seasoning, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1 minced garlic clove until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Add the cooled pasta and sautéed corn to the bowl with the crema. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  5. Stir in ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro and ¾ cup crumbled Cotija cheese. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Mix gently to keep the cheese chunky and cilantro evenly dispersed.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
  7. Before serving, if the salad looks dry, stir in a splash of olive oil or extra lime juice. Crumble Cotija cheese fresh right before serving to prevent clumping.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta to maintain al dente texture. Char the corn for smoky depth. Whisk the Tajín crema well for even flavor. Chill the salad before serving to meld flavors. Crumble Cotija cheese fresh to keep texture. For dairy-free versions, substitute mayo and sour cream with vegan alternatives and use nutritional yeast instead of Cotija cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, street corn, Tajín crema, Cotija cheese, summer recipe, easy pasta salad, Mexican-inspired, creamy pasta salad

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/creamy-street-corn-pasta-salad-recipe-with-taj-i-n-crema-and-cotija-cheese/