Description
This vibrant Street Corn Pasta Salad blends smoky charred corn, tender pasta, fresh veggies, and plant-based cheese with a zesty, creamy dressing (natural). Perfect for quick meals, picnics, or gatherings, it offers refreshing, colorful flavors with customizable spice and texture options.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Corn
- 3 cups cooked short pasta (rotini or penne)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels, charred or roasted
Dressing
- 1/2 cup plant-based mayonnaise (natural)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (natural)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Salad Add-ins
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/3 cup crumbled plant-based cheese (plant-based)
Instructions
- Cook and cool the pasta: Boil your chosen pasta until just tender, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it for the salad.
- Prepare the corn: Char fresh corn kernels in a hot skillet or on the grill until slightly blackened for smoky flavor, then let cool.
- Mix the dressing (natural): In a bowl, whisk together plant-based mayonnaise (natural), fresh lime juice, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), garlic powder (natural), smoked paprika (natural), salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, add cooled pasta, charred corn, chopped cilantro, and plant-based cheese (plant-based). Pour the dressing (natural) over and gently toss until well coated.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld, then stir again before serving.
Notes
- Char the corn well to develop essential smoky depth.
- Start with less dressing to avoid sogginess; add more if needed.
- Use fresh lime juice for brighter acidity compared to bottled.
- Make the salad a few hours ahead for better flavor blending.
- Reserve some plant-based cheese (plant-based) to garnish before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: street corn, pasta salad, plant-based cheese, smoky, vegetarian, gluten free, quick meal, summer salad
