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Mexican Street Corn Pasta

Mexican Street Corn Pasta
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Mexican Street Corn Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining smoky grilled corn, creamy mayonnaise-based sauce, tangy lime juice, and tender pasta. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a delightful fusion of Mexican street corn flavors with comforting pasta, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or favorite short pasta

Corn

  • 2 cups fresh corn kernels, grilled or roasted until slightly charred

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste

Toppings

  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water for later.
  2. Prepare the Corn: Grill or roast fresh corn kernels until slightly charred and smoky. This adds authenticity and a beautiful depth of flavor that mimics traditional Mexican street corn.
  3. Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. The combination creates a creamy, zesty sauce that will coat your pasta perfectly.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Toss the pasta with the smoky corn and dressing. Add cotija cheese and chopped cilantro, folding them gently to distribute evenly.
  5. Adjust and Serve: If the pasta seems dry, stir in a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with more lime or chili powder if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh, in-season corn for the best flavor and texture, especially when charred properly.
  • Don’t skip the lime juice as it brightens the creamy sauce and balances richness with acidity.
  • Reserve pasta water to help achieve the perfect sauce consistency without watering down flavor.
  • Chill the pasta for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Lightly toast chili powder before mixing to enhance its smoky complexity.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican street corn, pasta, creamy, smoky, spicy, cotija cheese, lime, cilantro, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://dishesbylina.com/mexican-street-corn-pasta/