Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad
A delightful dish combining creamy cheese, sweet corn, and fresh herbs, perfect for summer barbecues or light meals any time of the year.
Ingredients
Creamy Cheese Dressing
- 4 ounces room temperature cream cheese Ensure it's at room temperature for easy mixing.
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 cloves grated garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives (chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese
Pasta and Salad Ingredients
- 1 pound short pasta
- 1 head romaine lettuce (shredded)
- 2 cups grilled or roasted corn (from 3-4 fresh ears)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil (torn)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1/2 cup spicy cheddar cheese (diced) Can be omitted for a milder salad.
- 1 each avocado (diced)
Chili Butter
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/2 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper Adjust to preference.
- A pinch of salt
Lime Mayo Dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise or yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
Preparation of Cheese Dressing
- In a large salad bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese, sour cream, extra virgin olive oil, grated garlic, chopped fresh chives, salt, pepper, and crumbled cotija or feta cheese. Mix well.
Cook Pasta & Combine Salad
- Cook short pasta until al dente. Drain immediately and toss the hot pasta with the prepared dressing in the salad bowl.
- Add shredded romaine lettuce, grilled or roasted corn, torn fresh basil, chopped fresh cilantro, diced spicy cheddar cheese, and diced avocado. Toss everything thoroughly to combine.
Make the Chili Butter
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt salted butter until golden.
- Stir in smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper (adjust to preference), and a pinch of salt. Cook for one minute to allow spices to bloom, then remove from heat.
Make the Lime Mayo Dressing
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise (or yogurt) with fresh lime juice and a pinch of salt until well combined.
Serve
- Serve the pasta salad warm or cold, as preferred. Drizzle with the Lime Mayo Dressing and top with a generous spoonful of the Chili Butter.
- For deeper flavors, let the salad sit for a bit before serving.
Notes
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Adjust spices in the chili butter to match your heat preference. Feel free to add other ingredients like diced bell peppers or black beans.