Description
A healthy twist on Mexican street corn, this pasta salad is packed with fresh flavors from grilled corn, creamy avocado, and a zesty, smoky dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb short pasta (like fusilli or penne)
- 2 cups grilled or roasted corn kernels (from about 3 ears)
- 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn
- 1/2 cup diced spicy cheddar cheese (optional)
- 3/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese
- For the Dressing:
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1–2 garlic cloves, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 to 2 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
- If using fresh corn, grill or roast the ears until lightly charred. Let cool, then cut the kernels off the cob. You should have about 2 cups.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, corn, shredded romaine, diced avocado, cilantro, basil, and cheeses (if using). Toss gently.
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, sour cream (or yogurt), olive oil, grated garlic, lime juice, chives, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed.
- Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving for flavors to meld.
Notes
For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. You can use frozen and thawed corn if fresh isn’t available—just pan-roast it for a few minutes to get some color. The salad is best eaten the day it’s made, as the avocado may brown and the lettuce can wilt.
Nutrition
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Protein: 14g