Description

A creamy, smoky, and spicy macaroni salad inspired by Mexican street corn. This Spicy Chipotle Street Corn Macaroni Salad combines roasted corn, Tajín, chipotle, lime, and rich cheese for a vibrant dish that’s perfect for cookouts or easy meals.

Ingredients

½ lb ditalini pasta

1 cup mayonnaise

2 teaspoons Tajín

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 juicy lime, juiced

1 pinch kosher salt

1 cup Tillamook Farmstyle Fine Cut Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese (or Cabot Creamery Habanero Jack)

4 ears roasted corn, kernels shaved from the cob

¼ cup pickled red onions

½ cup chopped tomatoes

¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon sugar or ¼ cup pickled onion brine

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Instructions

1. Boil the ditalini pasta in a pot of salted water until al dente, following package instructions.

2. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and chill it completely.

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Tajín, smoked paprika, chili powder, lime juice, sugar or pickled onion brine, and a pinch of kosher salt until smooth.

4. Add the chilled pasta to the dressing, followed by the cheese, roasted corn, pickled red onions, tomatoes, and cilantro.

5. Toss until evenly coated. Add more pickling liquid or a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the texture.

6. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, lime, or chili powder as desired.

7. Serve immediately for a creamy texture or refrigerate for an hour to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

Use high-quality cheese like Tillamook or Cabot for a smooth melt and rich flavor.

Fresh roasted corn delivers the best taste and texture, but frozen roasted corn is a good shortcut.

For extra heat, add a few drops of Texas Pete® Original Hot Sauce or Crystal® Hot Sauce.

Chill for 30–60 minutes before serving for deeper flavor development.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a spoon of mayo or lime juice before serving leftovers to refresh the dressing.

Avoid freezing as mayonnaise-based dressings may separate after thawing.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Pasta Salad
Method: Boiling, Mixing
Cuisine: American, Mexican