Description
This vibrant Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad combines smoky charred corn, creamy avocado, crispy bacon, and tangy feta cheese tossed with radiatori pasta and a zesty lime-mayo dressing. Perfect for a flavorful and colorful side dish or light main, it’s packed with exciting textures and classic Mexican-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 2 cups radiatori noodles (or your noodle of choice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
Protein and Cheese
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing
- 1/2 cup full-fat mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (approx. 2-3 limes)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well, then toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Char Corn: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the drained corn kernels and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes per side, letting them get nicely charred and smoky. Remove from heat once done.
- Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, charred corn, diced avocado, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, diced jalapeno, chopped bacon, crumbled feta, and drained black beans.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lime juice, ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, and hot sauce. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine: Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all components in the flavorful dressing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh lime juice instead of bottled.
- You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon or omit for a vegetarian version (omit feta for vegan).
- Adjust jalapeno and hot sauce levels to your preferred heat tolerance.
- If radiatori noodles are unavailable, rotini or elbow macaroni work well as alternatives.
- Salad can be prepared a few hours ahead; store covered in the refrigerator and toss again before serving.
