Crowd Pleasing Mexican Pasta Salad

 

As the title suggests, this pasta salad with a definite crowd pleaser and fan favorite. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

 

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 lb. uncooked pasta (we used macaroni)
1 tablespoon butter
3 ears fresh sweet corn, husks removed
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 package (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco cheese

Directions:

Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Cool 10 minutes.

While pasta is boiling, heat 10-inch skillet over high heat. Add butter and corn to skillet. Char the corn on each side, about 10 minutes total. Cut corn off cobs; place in large bowl.

Add cooked pasta to bowl. Top with remaining ingredients. Stir well to combine.

Refrigerate about 4 hours or until chilled before serving.

Source: Betty Crocker. You can find it here.

Notes: Everyone went back for seconds with this pasta salad. Good stuff.

Caprese: Pasta Salad Style

 

You can't go wrong with caprese salad. It's awesome pretty much any way you choose to make it. Here's a pasta salad version you will enjoy.

 

Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups rotini pasta
3 tablespoons pesto, or to taste
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup halved grapte tomatoes
1/2 cup small (pearlini) fresh mozzarella balls
Fresh basil leaves, finely shredded, to taste (at least 1 tablespoon)

Directions:

Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.

Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, granulated garlic, and black pepper in a bowl; add rotini. Toss to coat. Fold in tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.

Source: Allrecipes.com, submitted by the dailygourmet. You can find it here.

Notes: We used this homemade pesto recipe so that it would be nut-free because of my son's tree nut allergies. Be sure to let the pasta cool before adding the mozzarella, otherwise the cheese will melt, and you don't want that in this salad.