What is the twist in this salad?
Not all pasta salad recipes are created equal; this one is a step above the rest!
If you are looking for a pasta salad recipe idea that is going to be the talk of the barbeque you need to make this recipe. There are a couple of ingredients that are not typically found in a traditional pasta salad recipe: cilantro and feta. Making this a delicious feta, corn, pasta salad like no one has had before!
These two ingredients don’t always show up in a pasta salad, but after you try them you will be including them every time! The corn in this recipe is also seared in the saute pan which adds some immense flavor. I have used both canned or frozen and had huge success. Fresh corn or corn cut off the cob would also be amazing, just use whatever you have available depending on the time of year!
Like most pasta salads this one will soak up the dressing as it sits. This means the noodles become more flavorful but the salad may look a little “dry” if you want to increase or add dressing to it just make a little more of the bottom 5 ingredients and stir it into the pasta salad when it is done.
I would say this is best on day 2 of having it made so you can easily make this in advance.
So, if you’re looking for a fresh and flavorful side dish, this feta corn pasta salad is the perfect twist on a classic. Packed with sweet corn, tangy feta, and colorful veggies, it’s a go-to for summer barbecues, potlucks, or quick lunches.
Why You Will Love This Pasta Salad With a Twist
What makes this feta corn pasta salad stand out? It’s creamy, loaded with texture, and gets a suprise flavor kick from cilantro and peppers.
Pasta Salad With a Twist is a great dish to make in advance. As many pasta salad do it gets better with time. As it sits, the flavors work together to make a really delicious and cohesive flavor comibination you are going to love, making it perfect for meal prep.
This will seriously make you the talk of the town when you take it to your next barbeque as a side dish. The surprise twist will bring your friends and family back to the table again and again so don’t be sad when there isn’t any left in the bowl at the end of the night.
Making an easy lunch prep can be done with this side dish too. You can easily work in can of chicken to add protein, or use a grilled or smoked chicken breast as the entree and this as the side.
Fresh produce is also always aroudn during the summer. This feta, corn, pasta salad works in many of these fresh vegetables so you can keep this a budget friendly meal for your summer adventrues.
Tips for the Best Feta Corn Pasta Salad
After boiling the noodles to al dente (meaning they still have a little texture to them when you eat them and are not mushy) run the noodles under cold water. This will stop/slow the cooking process and keep the texture the way you want it to be.
To get the most pop of flavor from the corn, use roasted or grilled corn. However, you can easily just put in some canned to make it quick and easy. This salad is really forgiving so you can play with it!
An avocado would also add a lot of flavor to this dish. If you want some extra creaminess you can layer some slices on top or work in a chopped avocado to the whole mixture.
Make sure to taste the salad before serving it. Adjust your seasonings to your liking and also remember the pasta soaks up the dressing so you might want to have a little extra on hand if you are serving this a day after making it.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips for Pasta Salad With a Twist
Store in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container, these are my favorite ones to use when I need a good seal, easy to transport, and they are clear so you can see the contents.
To brighten the salad back up if you made it in advance, add a few more fresh herbs again, tear up some extra cilantro to add some bright color and freshness. Also, sprinkle a little more lime juice on it to liven it up again too. These are two really healthy ways to make your dish amazing without adding any fat or calories.
This is not a dish to freeze. Pasta salads in general do not freeze well. Make sure to eat this in 4 days as well to keep it from going bad. Mayo can go bad quickly so make sure it can stay cold.
Other Salad/Side Dishes You Might Like
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the pasta in water.
- Then sauté the canned corn until it is slightly seared.
- Cool both of these off and add to a mixing bowl.
- Next chop the vegetables and add to the bowl.
- Mix the mayo, sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder and salt and pepper together. Pour over pasta and vegetables.
- Stir to combine and put in the fridge.