Corn pasta salad recipe – This 20-minute creamy corn pasta salad is a hit at any group gathering! Perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, and picnics, this savory-sweet corn pasta salad with ham and a rich creamy dressing will please even the pickiest of eaters. Fresh and delicious, this quick-and-easy pasta salad recipe is a true crowd-pleaser. Serve it up and enjoy a delicious meal or treat any time of the year!
Ingredients list for the corn pasta salad recipe
- 8 oz farfalle pasta or other short pasta
- 1 cup cooked corn kernels
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 4 slices cooked ham, diced (or you favorite ham)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
Creamy corn pasta salad recipe
This creamy corn pasta salad will surely be a hit at any summer party – whether it’s a BBQ, picnic, or potluck. You can easily mix and match all ingredients to fit your tastes, too – top the pasta salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, shredded cheese, and more.
Directions
1. To make the cream corn pasta salad: Cook pasta al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside – you can keep some of the pasta cooking water to make the sauce later.
2. While pasta is cooking, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, a few tablespoons of the pasta cooking water (optional), and freshly squeezed lime juice in a mason jar. If you feel your salad dressing is too thick, add more sour cream, small amounts of water, or extra lime juice (or lemon juice). Or a combination of what I just listed.
3. In a large bowl, combine cooked and drained pasta, cooked corn kernels, diced bell pepper, and chopped cooked ham. Add a few dollops of the salad dressing, then mix to combine.
4. Distribute into individual salad bowls, and sprinkle the creamy corn pasta salad with chopped fresh basil. Enjoy! ❤️
Tips for the creamy corn pasta salad recipe
- We used 1 cup of cooked corn kernels. That equals two ears of corn on the cob.
- You can choose a 100% sour cream dressing instead of adding mayo.
- You can add a tablespoon of pesto to the sauce if you like.
- We used farfalle pasta in this recipe. You can also use orecchiette or fusilli, as they will retain the sauce well.
- Chop your vegetables reasonably small, so they mix well with the pasta.
- Don’t overcook the pasta, as this can make your salad soggy.
- Allow your pasta salad to chill for at least an hour before serving.
How to keep the creamy pasta salad leftovers
You can keep any pasta salad leftover in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More pasta salad recipes
- 11 Best Pasta Salad Recipes for Your Next Potluck
- Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil
- Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Pesto, Avocado, and Tomato
- Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad Meal-Prep
