fbpx

Talking Meals

menu icon
search icon
×

35 Minutes or Less Dinners

Mexican Corn Pasta Salad with Tomatoes

Jump to Recipe

This Creamy Mexican Corn Pasta Salad is a fun and delicious new take on a typical pasta salad that bursting with flavors!  It’s a perfect make-ahead side for dinner, a picnic, BBQ, or lunch.

Close up of Mexican Pasta Salad in white bowl on counter with second bowl in upper left corner and tomato half on plate. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!

This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad with Corn and Sun Dried Tomato Dressing is a comforting, creamy and smoky dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture!  First, you get creaminess and depth, as well as smokiness and and a hint of sweet from the sun dried tomato dressing.  Then you get freshness from the tomatoes and a burst of sweet from the corn.  Finally a bite from the scallion and cilantro.  It’s the perfect comfort side dish or add beef, chicken or shrimp and call it a meal!

It’s getting a little silly how many recipes I seem to be developing with a Mexican inspiration.  But I just love all of those smokey and salty spices and flavors!  I also really love Sun Dried Tomatoes, which may seem a bit strange for a Mexican recipe.  However, when blended into the dressing for this Mexican Pasta Salad, the Sun Dried Tomatoes give such depth and a hint of sweetness to the dressing, which is simply fantastic!

Close up of Mexican Pasta Salad in white bowl on counter with second bowl in upper left corner and tomato half on plate. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

PREP-AHEAD TO MAKE YOUR MEXICAN PASTA SALAD

This is another great recipe that can be made entirely ahead and then eaten in the next days!

To prepare, you will need to cook the pasta and let it cool.  I used a Gluten Free Penne for this salad.  There are several brands out there that I like, including Banza, which is made from chickpeas.  Just be sure not to over cook the gluten free pasta or it will just fall apart on you when you mix it with the rest of the ingredients.  Of course, you do not need to go Gluten free here, any of your favorite short-cut pastas will be fine!

Then dice the tomato, thaw the corn or cut it from the cobb after it is cooked, chop the cilantro, and slice the scallion.

Tomato being diced on cutting board. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!

To make the Mexican Salad Dressing, you simply put the 4 ingredients (Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, Sun Dried Tomatoes, and Taco Seasoning) into a mini food processor and blend them together until smooth and creamy!  Note, this recipe calls for Taco Seasoning, so feel free to use whatever favorite blend you want.  Because some blends have more salt than others, I have not included salt in the dressing recipe so be sure to taste for salt and add to taste.

Mexican Pasta Salad dressing blended in food processor. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!

 

Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and toss together to combine.  Taste again for salt and add as needed.  Yep, it’s really that simple!

Clear bowl on counter with corn, tomatoes, pasta, Mexican dressing, and cilantro. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!
Clear bowl on counter with mixed Mexican Pasta Salad with corn, tomatoes, pasta, Mexican dressing, and cilantro. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!

That’s it!  ENJOY!

😍 Carrie

Close up of Mexican Pasta Salad in white bowl on counter with second bowl in upper left corner and tomato half on plate. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!
Close up of Mexican Pasta Salad in white bowl on counter with second bowl in upper left corner and tomato half on plate. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!

Mexican Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes & Corn

Carrie Tyler
Fall is about comfort foods and this Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad is a comforting, creamy and smoky dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture!  First, you get creaminess and depth, as well as smokiness and and a hint of sweet from the sun dried tomato dressing.  Then you get freshness from the tomatoes and a burst of sweet from the corn.  Finally a bite from the scallion and cilantro.  It’s the perfect comfort side dish or add beef, chicken or shrimp and call it a meal!
Print Recipe Save Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz Penne pasta, uncooked Any short cut pasta will work
  • 1 Beefsteak Tomato, large
  • 1 cup Corn Kernels, frozen fresh corn is great too, just be sure to cook it
  • 3 Tbls Cilantro, chopped
  • 2 Scallions
  • ½ cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 cup Sour Cream
  • ¼ cup Sun dried Tomatoes In oil or Soaked in water to rehydrate and soften
  • 2 teaspoon Taco Seasoning

Instructions
 

Prep-Ahead

  • Cook your pasta according to package instructions.  Then cool in the fridge.
  • Dice the tomatoes
    Tomato being diced on cutting board. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!
  • If your Sun Dried tomatoes are purchased dry, then soak them in hot water to rehydrate for at least 30 minutes.  If they are already in oil, no need to do this.  Rough chop the sun dried tomatoes so they blend easier.
  • Chop the cilantro.  Slice the scallions.  Thaw and cool the corn kernels if frozen.

Make the Dressing/Sauce

  • To a mini food processor or blender, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, sun dried tomatoes, taco seasoning.  Blend.  Taste for salt and add as desired (some taco seasonings have more salt than others).
    Sour Cream, Sun dried tomatoes, and taco seasoning in a food processor. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!

Make Salad

  • In a large mixing bowl, add the pasta, corn, tomato, cilantro, scallion, and dressing.  
    Clear bowl on counter with corn, tomatoes, pasta, Mexican dressing, and cilantro. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!
  • Fold all ingredients together to combine. Taste again for salt and add to taste.  Enjoy!
    Clear bowl on counter with mixed Mexican Pasta Salad with corn, tomatoes, pasta, Mexican dressing, and cilantro. This Creamy Mexican Pasta Salad has Sun Dried Tomatoes, Corn, Fresh Diced Tomatoes, Cilantro, and smoky Mexican spices. The dressing is creamy and smoky with lots of depth and a hint of sweetness from the Sun Dried Tomatoes that are blended in. Terrific as a side or mix in some chicken or beef and call it a meal!

Notes

If you are having this as a side dish, you will obviously get more servings from it.  However, if you add some grilled Chicken, or ground beef, or shredded pork, or grilled shrimp, you can have this as a meal!  If served as a meal, you may only get 4 servings.
Keyword corn, pasta, pasta salad, salad, sun dried tomato, tomatoes

More Easy Side Dishes

About Carrie Tyler

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks