Vibrant pasta with roasted corn, spicy cheddar, fresh herbs, and two zesty dressings
# What You’ll Need:
→ Creamy Cheese Dressing
01 - 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
02 - 1/3 cup sour cream
03 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
04 - 1-2 cloves garlic, freshly grated
05 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
06 - 3/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta)
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Salad Base
08 - 1 lb short pasta (rotini, fusilli, or farfalle)
09 - 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
10 - 2 cups grilled or roasted corn
11 - 1/2 cup spicy cheddar cheese, diced
12 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
13 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 1 medium avocado, diced
→ Chili Butter
15 - 4 tbsp salted butter
16 - 2 tbsp chili powder
17 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
18 - 1/2-2 tsp cayenne pepper, to taste
19 - Pinch of salt
→ Lime Mayo Dressing
20 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or plain yogurt)
21 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
22 - Pinch of salt
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large salad bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, olive oil, grated garlic, chopped chives, and crumbled cotija. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until smooth and set aside.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well. While still warm, toss pasta with the creamy cheese dressing in the salad bowl. Add shredded romaine, roasted corn, diced spicy cheddar, torn basil, chopped cilantro, and diced avocado. Gently toss until evenly coated.
03 - In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter until golden and fragrant. Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper to your spice preference, and a pinch of salt. Let spices bloom for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or yogurt), fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fully combined.
05 - Serve the salad warm or chilled. Drizzle with lime mayo dressing and spoon over the spicy chili butter just before serving. For optimal flavor, allow the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld together.
