Name: Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 4 ounces room temperature cream cheese; 1/3 cup sour cream; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1-2 grated garlic cloves; 1 tablespoon fresh chives (chopped); Salt and pepper to taste; 3/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese; 1 pound of 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); 1 avocado (diced); 4 tablespoons salted butter; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 1/2 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (adjust to preference); 1/4 cup mayonnaise or yogurt; 2 tablespoons lime juice

Jump to Recipe

Meet your new favorite potluck hero: Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad! This vibrant, wildly satisfying dish brings together the irresistible flavors of Mexican street corn and the comfort of creamy pasta. A tangle of tender noodles meets roasted corn, crunchy lettuce, creamy cheese, zesty lime, a smoky chili butter swirl, and an herby burst that ties every bite together. Whether you serve it warm or chilled, it’s an absolute show-stopper and guaranteed to be the first bowl empty at any gathering.

Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how everyday ingredients team up to create such bold, unforgettable flavors in this dish. Each element is essential—offering color, crunch, richness, or heat—and brings Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad to life.

Cream Cheese (4 ounces, room temperature): Gives the dressing its luscious, velvety texture and tangy undertone.
Sour Cream (1/3 cup): Adds cool, creamy tanginess that pairs beautifully with smoky, spicy corn.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): Helps meld the dressing whilst improving mouthfeel.
Grated Garlic (1-2 cloves): Fresh garlic punches up flavor; grate for a subtle, well-distributed zing.
Fresh Chives (1 tablespoon, chopped): Brings a gentle onion note that layers in freshness.
Salt and Pepper (to taste): Never skip—you want those flavors to pop!
Crumbled Cotija or Feta Cheese (3/4 cup): Delivers briny, crumbly richness that’s classic in street corn.
Short Pasta (1 pound): Think rotini, penne, or fusilli; their shapes grab the dressing beautifully.
Romaine Lettuce (1 head, shredded): Adds crunch and freshness, making each bite lighter.
Grilled or Roasted Corn (2 cups, from 3-4 fresh ears): The undeniably sweet, smoky star of the show.
Fresh Basil (1/2 cup, torn): A peppery, aromatic upgrade that brightens every forkful.
Fresh Cilantro (1/2 cup, chopped): Essential for that traditional street corn flavor and extra vibrance.
Spicy Cheddar Cheese (1/2 cup, diced): Brings a creamy, melty kick—use pepper jack if you like extra fire.
Avocado (1, diced): Creamy and mild, it’s the finishing touch that melts into every bite.
Salted Butter (4 tablespoons): The base for your decadent chili butter drizzle.
Smoked Paprika (2 teaspoons): For a smoldering, smoky depth that screams “street corn.”
Chili Powder (2 tablespoons): Lends heat and rounds out those toasty, spicy notes.
Cayenne Pepper (1/2 to 2 teaspoons): Adjust to your spice love—add more for heat seekers!
Mayonnaise or Yogurt (1/4 cup): For the creamy citrusy drizzle that ties it all together.
Lime Juice (2 tablespoons): Nothing beats a fresh, zippy lift to unify all the flavors.

How to Make Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Cheese Dressing

Start by bringing your cream cheese to room temp for the smoothest blend. In a big mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, olive oil, freshly grated garlic, chopped chives, a good pinch each of salt and pepper, and the crumbled cotija or feta cheese. Use a wooden spoon or sturdy whisk—just keep going until everything’s beautifully creamy with tiny cheese crumbles flecked throughout. This is the flavor-packed base that will hug every noodle.

Step 2: Cook Pasta & Combine Salad

Now, boil a pot of salted water and add your short pasta. Cook it al dente—it’ll absorb flavor from the dressing later without getting mushy. Drain it quickly and, while still warm, toss the noodles straight into your creamy cheese dressing. Next, heap on the shredded romaine, juicy corn (either grilled or roasted for that toasty sweet flavor), torn basil, chopped cilantro, diced spicy cheddar, and dreamy avocado chunks. Use tongs to toss everything together so every ingredient nests into the pasta. It’s an explosion of color and texture!

Step 3: Make the Chili Butter

This step is where Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad gets its smoky-seductive edge. In a small skillet, melt the salted butter over medium heat until it’s starting to bubble golden. Stir in the smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne (start with less and taste—you can always add more), plus a pinch of salt. Let the spices sizzle for about a minute—that’s where the magic happens—then take off the heat. Your kitchen is about to smell incredible!

Step 4: Make the Lime Mayo Dressing

In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise or tangy yogurt and fresh lime juice. Add a pinch of salt and give everything a good stir until smooth and blendy. This is the cool, citrusy drizzle that cuts through all the richness and heat perfectly. Taste and add extra lime if you want even more sparkle.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Now it’s time to assemble! You can serve Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad either slightly warm or let it chill out in the fridge so flavors meld even more. Right before serving, give it another toss, then drizzle the tangy lime mayo dressing over the top and finish with swirls of spicy chili butter. If you can, let the salad sit for about 15 minutes—this extra step lets all those bold flavors marry. Every forkful is creamy, crunchy, and totally flavorful.

How to Serve Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad

Garnishes

For the ultimate Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad presentation, sprinkle on extra crumbled cotija (or feta), a dusting of chili powder, and a few torn basil or cilantro leaves for a fresh pop. If you love more heat, add sliced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne over the top. Add a wedge of lime for a DIY squeeze right at the table!

Side Dishes

This salad is hearty enough to take center stage, but it’s amazing alongside grilled meats like chicken, steak, or smoky BBQ shrimp. A platter of fresh watermelon or a simple tomato cucumber salad makes the whole meal feel like a summer fiesta. Bonus: serve with warm tortillas or toasted bread to scoop up every last drop of that chili butter!

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful by spooning your Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad into lettuce cups for mess-free party bites, or pile it into mini mason jars for a picnic. For potlucks, layer all the components in a wide, shallow bowl so that every colorful garnish is on display—don’t forget a generous final swirl of chili butter just before serving to wow your guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad (though it disappears quickly), transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It keeps beautifully for up to 3 days! The flavors deepen as it sits, so don’t hesitate to make it ahead for busier days. Just hold off on the avocado and final garnishes until just before serving to keep things fresh and vibrant.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t recommended for this salad, as the creamy dressing can split and the lettuce loses its crispness. For best results, simply store in the fridge and enjoy within a few days—trust me, finding an excuse to gobble up leftovers isn’t hard!

Reheating

Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad is actually delicious both chilled and at room temperature. If you prefer it a tad warmer, gently microwave single servings for 20-30 seconds, just until the chill is off (not piping hot). If it thickens up in the fridge, loosen the salad with a splash of milk or an extra spoon of sour cream before serving.

FAQs

Can I use frozen corn instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Just thaw and dry the corn well, then sauté in a dry skillet to mimic that toasty char. While fresh corn offers amazing texture and sweetness, frozen works in a pinch—and keeps Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad convenient all year.

What’s the best pasta shape for this salad?

Short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, fusilli, or shells are perfect. Their curves and ridges grab onto the creamy sauce, corn, and cheese—so each bite is loaded with flavor. Avoid long pastas, as they’re tricky to toss and scoop.

Can I make it vegetarian or gluten free?

Yes to both! This salad is naturally vegetarian if using vegetarian cheeses. To make it gluten free, simply substitute with your favorite gluten free pasta and double-check labels on all store-bought ingredients. The flavors shine just as bright!

What if I don’t like cilantro?

No worries—just leave it out, or swap for extra basil or chives. Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad should be totally customizable to your taste, so feel free to tweak the herbs to match what you love best.

Does it get spicier as it sits?

Slightly! The chili butter and spices will deepen as the salad chills, but it shouldn’t cross into “too spicy” territory. If making for a crowd, start mild with the cayenne and offer extra chili powder at the table for heat lovers to ramp up their portion.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite as joyful as digging into a big bowl of Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad—especially when it’s bubbling with color, freshness, and crave-worthy flavors. Give this recipe a try the next time you want to wow your friends or simply treat yourself to something special. Your taste buds (and your potluck pals) will thank you!

Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 13 reviews

Author: Ethan
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad is a delightful fusion of flavors, combining creamy cheese dressing, grilled corn, and a zesty lime mayo dressing. Topped with a spicy chili butter, this pasta salad is a perfect side dish for any occasion.

Instructions

Prepare the Creamy 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 and Enjoy: 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

You can customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper in the Chili Butter.
For a vegetarian option, use vegetarian-friendly cheese alternatives.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing, Tossing
Cuisine: Fusion