Street Corn Pasta Bake (Printable)

Cheesy pasta layered with roasted corn, peppers, and spiced cream for warm, comforting flavors.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz penne or rigatoni

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 cups roasted corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

→ Sauce & Dairy

05 - 1½ cups sour cream
06 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened
07 - 1 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
09 - ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese or feta

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1 tsp chili powder
13 - 1 tsp ground cumin
14 - ½ tsp salt
15 - ½ tsp black pepper

→ Toppings

16 - ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
17 - ½ cup sliced green onions
18 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, blend sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, half of Monterey Jack, half of cotija, garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth.
04 - Fold roasted corn, red bell pepper, and jalapeño into the sauce. Add cooked pasta and gently toss to coat evenly.
05 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle remaining Monterey Jack and cotija on top.
06 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top.
07 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro, green onions, and fresh lime wedges.
08 - Serve warm with extra lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The blend of smoky corn, creamy sauce, and zesty herbs feels like a party hiding in your oven.
  • You can add or swap ingredients based on what you have — I've even used frozen corn in a pinch and no one noticed.
02 -
  • Once, I tried mixing everything in the hot pasta pot and it turned the sauce grainy — always use a separate bowl for the creamy mix.
  • Letting the bake rest for a few minutes before serving keeps the cheese from sliding off every scoop.
03 -
  • Let your pasta cool for a minute before mixing it with the sauce to avoid melting or separating the creamy ingredients.
  • A squeeze of lime right before serving completely wakes up the flavor — never leave it out.
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