Fiesta Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
Fiesta Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and creamy cold salad combining tender small shell pasta, sweet corn, spicy Rotel tomatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese, all coated in a tangy mixture of mayonnaise and sour cream. Perfect for picnics, barbecue sides, and potlucks, this refreshing dish offers a delightful balance of flavors and texture with a slight kick from the Rotel.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 8 oz small shell pasta (cooked, drained, and rinsed with cold water)
- 30 oz whole kernel corn (two 15 oz cans, well-drained)
- 10 oz can Rotel (hot, mild, or lime jalapeño, drained)
- 4 green onions (chopped)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 8 oz sour cream
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the small shell pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until fully cooled to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Combine Corn Mixture: In a large bowl, add the well-drained whole kernel corn, drained Rotel tomatoes, and chopped green onions. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream until smooth and creamy. This will provide the rich base for the salad.
- Mix Dressing with Corn Mixture: Pour the dressing over the corn and Rotel mixture, stirring well to ensure everything is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Add Cheese: Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese so that it is evenly distributed throughout the salad, adding a rich and sharp flavor dimension.
- Combine Pasta: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and gently stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly, ensuring the pasta is fully coated with the dressing and mixed with the other components.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for 1-2 hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and makes the salad refreshing to serve.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the salad again to redistribute any dressing or ingredients that may have settled. Serve cold.
Notes
- For a less spicy version, use mild Rotel tomatoes instead of hot or lime jalapeño.
- Make sure to rinse the pasta with cold water to cool it and prevent overcooking.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise or sour cream based on your preferred creaminess level.
- This salad can be made a day in advance for better flavor melding.
- Add chopped fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime for additional freshness if desired.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
Keywords: Fiesta Corn Pasta Salad, pasta salad, corn salad, American salad, picnic salad, mayonnaise pasta salad
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/fiesta-corn-pasta-salad-recipe/
