Zesty Summer Street Corn Pasta Salad ☀️
A vibrant and flavorful pasta salad, perfect for summer gatherings or a healthy weeknight meal. Featuring a zesty lime dressing, charred corn, black beans, and fresh vegetables, it's a dish that's sure to impress!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 7 minutes mins
Chilling Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 7 minutes mins
Servings 6 servings
Calories 427 kcal
- 2 cups uncooked chickpea pasta
- 1 can corn about 12 ounces, drained
- 1 can black beans about 15 ounces, rinsed and drained
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes halved
- 0.5 bunch fresh cilantro chopped
- 3 green onion sprigs sliced
- 0.75 cup Cotija cheese crumbled (or feta)
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.25 teaspoon ground paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Cook the Pasta: Get your chickpea pasta ready by cooking it according to the package directions until it's perfectly tender (al dente). Drain it well, give it a quick rinse under cold water to cool, and set it aside.
Prep the Mix-ins: If you're using fresh corn, fire up the grill or a hot pan to char it slightly until it's golden and smoky. Pop the corn (freshly charred or drained canned corn) into a large mixing bowl. Add the rinsed black beans, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and the crumbly Cotija cheese.
Whip Up the Dressing: In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, chili powder, ground paprika, cumin, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Stir until it's beautifully smooth and creamy.
Combine & Toss: Add the cooled pasta to the big bowl with all the colorful corn and bean mixture. Pour the delicious dressing right over everything. Gently toss it all together until every ingredient is wonderfully coated in that creamy dressing.
Chill for Flavor: Taste your pasta salad and adjust any seasonings if you like – maybe a little more lime for zing, extra cheese, or a sprinkle more chili powder for a kick. For the best flavor, cover it and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
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Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 427kcal
- Total Carbs: 45g
- Net Carbs: 33g
- Fats: 21g
- Protein: 16g