Healthy Street Corn Pasta Salad 🌽🥗💛
Fresh, zesty, and creamy — this Healthy Street Corn Pasta Salad takes all the irresistible flavors of Mexican street corn and transforms them into a light, refreshing pasta salad! 🍋🌿 Perfect for summer BBQs, picnics, potlucks, or as a colorful weeknight side dish, this recipe combines sweet corn, tender pasta, crunchy veggies, and a tangy, creamy dressing that feels indulgent but is secretly wholesome.
⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Chill Time: 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 6–8
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
12 oz (340g) whole wheat or gluten-free pasta (rotini, penne, or shells work great)
3 cups corn kernels (fresh grilled corn, roasted, or frozen & thawed)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup cotija cheese or feta (optional for extra flavor)
1 jalapeño, finely diced (optional for spice)
For the Dressing:
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or light sour cream)
2 tbsp mayonnaise (or avocado mayo for lighter version)
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
Extra cilantro
A sprinkle of cotija or feta cheese
Lime wedges
Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
2. Prepare the corn:
For maximum flavor, grill or roast the corn until slightly charred, then cut the kernels off the cob. If using frozen, simply thaw and pan-sear for a golden touch. 🌽🔥
3. Make the dressing:
In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste — it should be creamy, tangy, and slightly smoky.
4. Combine the salad:
In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta, corn, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, jalapeño, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the top and mix until everything is evenly coated.
5. Chill & garnish:
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with extra cilantro, cotija cheese, and lime wedges before serving.
Tips & Variations:
✅ Use chickpea pasta or lentil pasta for added protein.
✅ Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans for a heartier main dish.
✅ Swap Greek yogurt with light sour cream if you prefer.
✅ Make it dairy-free by skipping the cheese and using vegan mayo.
Why you’ll love it:
This Healthy Street Corn Pasta Salad is vibrant, filling, and guilt-free! 💚 It balances creamy, smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors in every bite — and it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any gathering.