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Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad with Smoky Chipotle Dressing

Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring smoky chipotle dressing, sweet corn, and creamy textures, perfect for summer BBQs and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini or penne pasta
  • 2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 3 ears) or frozen corn, thawed
  • ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) adobo sauce
  • Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons/30 ml)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups of fresh corn kernels (or thawed frozen corn) and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the corn is slightly charred and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise, ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream, 2 finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) adobo sauce, juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons/30 ml), salt and pepper to taste, and a pinch of smoked paprika if desired. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Add the sautéed corn to the pasta bowl. Pour the smoky chipotle dressing over the pasta and corn. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  5. Fold in ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Give the salad one last gentle toss. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

Notes

If the dressing feels too thick after chilling, stir in a splash of water or extra lime juice to loosen it up. The salad tastes even better the next day. For a dairy-free twist, substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with vegan alternatives and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Grilling the corn adds extra smoky flavor. Adjust chipotle peppers to control heat level.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, street corn, chipotle dressing, smoky, creamy, summer BBQ, easy recipe, potluck, quick salad

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/creamy-street-corn-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-smoky-chipotle-dressing-ideas/