Description
Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that’s perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or as a nutritious side dish. Featuring the sweetness of corn combined with the hearty texture of pasta and a medley of fresh vegetables, it’s tossed in a zesty homemade dressing for a burst of flavor.
Ingredients
2 cups radiatori noodles (or your noodle of choice)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 can corn kernels, drained
1 large avocado, diced
3 green onions, thinly sliced
½ bunch cilantro, finely chopped
1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
6 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and chopped
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Dressing:
½ cup full-fat mayonnaise
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon hot sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the noodles, toss them with olive oil, and set them aside.
Char Corn: In a large cast-iron skillet over high heat, add the corn kernels in a single layer. Heat just until slightly charred (2-3 minutes). Then, flip to char the second side. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, charred corn, avocado, green onions, cilantro, jalapeno, bacon, feta, and black beans.
Make Dressing: In a separate bowl, make the dressing by whisking together all the dressing ingredients: mayonnaise, lime juice, ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
Combine: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy your flavorful Corn Pasta Salad!
Enjoy your delicious creation! 
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- Add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas to turn this salad into a hearty meal.
- The salad can be customized with other vegetables or herbs according to preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling/Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 250 per serving
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g