Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto

Delicious vegetarian Street Corn Pasta Salad with sweet corn, red bell pepper, avocado, creamy cojita cheese and a super addicting cilantro pesto. This easy corn pasta salad recipe is not only delicious but is also a great way to use up your summer corn. Impress your friends and family with best pasta salad ever!

Ingredients

For the corn:

• 2 large ears of corn, shucked and cleaned

• 1-2 teaspoons avocado or olive oil

• ½ teaspoon chili powder

• ½ teaspoon cumin

• Freshly ground salt and pepper

For the pasta:

• 8 ounces bow tie pasta (or your favorite pasta)

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1/2 avocado, diced

• 1/3 cup cojita cheese

• ½ cup diced red onion

For the cilantro pesto:

• 1 cup cilantro leaves (about ½ a bunch)

• 1/3 cup roasted or raw cashews

• 1 small lime, juiced

• 1 clove garlic

• 1 jalapeño, seeded

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil

• ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1-2 tablespoons water, if necessary to thin the pesto

To garnish:

• Extra cilantro

• 1/2 avocado, if desired

• 2 tablespoons cojita cheese

Instructions

• Preheat grill to high. Drizzle corn with olive or avocado oil. Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Place the corn directly on grill and turn occasionally until corn is charred and cooked, about 10 minutes. Allow corn to cool then cut the corn from the cob and set aside.

• While the corn is cooking, you can boil your pasta until al dente, according to the directions on the pasta package. 

• Once the pasta is done, drain, rinse with cool water then add to a large bowl.

• Next make the cilantro pesto: Add cilantro, cashews, lime juice, garlic clove, jalapeno, olive oil, salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth, add water if necessary to help thin the pesto and make it easier to process.

• Add the pesto directly to the bowl with the pasta and mix to combine. 

• Next add in the corn, red bell pepper, avocado, cheese and red onion. Gently mix together.

• Place in fridge for serving for later, or serve immediately! Once ready to serve, garnish with extra cilantro, avocado, cheese and jalapeno slices, if you'd like. Serves 6.

Notes

To make ahead of time: Prepare salad as directed, adding everything except avocado. Store covered in the fridge until ready to serve. Once ready to serve add avocado and a little lime juice. Pasta salad can be made a day in advance.

photo and recipe credits to Ambitious Kitchen