Description
This Best Street Corn Pasta Salad combines the smoky, tangy flavors of classic Mexican street corn (Elote) with comforting pasta, creating a creamy, vibrant, and easy-to-prepare dish. It's perfect for summer potlucks, busy weeknights, and impromptu gatherings, guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.
Ingredients
1 lb Small Pasta
4 cups Corn Kernels
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup Sour Cream or Mexican Crema
1/2 cup Cotija Cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup Red Onion, finely diced
2 tbsp Lime Juice
1 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well and rinse with cold water to cool
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, about 5-7 minutes
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream (or crema), lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This forms the delicious dressing for your street corn pasta salad
- Add the cooled pasta, charred corn, crumbled Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, and diced red onion to the bowl with the dressing
- Gently toss until all ingredients are well combined and coated in the creamy dressing. Ensure every piece of pasta gets some of that amazing flavor for the Best Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more lime juice, salt, or chili powder if desired
- For the Best Street Corn Pasta Salad experience, chill for at least 30 minutes before serving
Notes
Char your corn well for an incredible depth of flavor, replicating authentic Mexican street corn.
Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best dressing flavor.
Don't overcook your pasta; al dente is perfect to prevent mushiness.
Always chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days; flavors often develop further overnight.
Not recommended for freezing as the creamy dressing and pasta texture can change upon thawing.
If the pasta salad seems dry after storage, stir in a tablespoon or two of extra mayonnaise or a splash of lime juice to refresh its creamy texture.
The chili powder provides a mild, smoky warmth; adjust to your preference or add a pinch of cayenne for more kick.
Feta cheese makes an excellent substitute for Cotija cheese, offering a similar salty, crumbly texture.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Assemble
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: street corn pasta salad, elote pasta salad, mexican street corn, creamy pasta salad, summer potluck, easy recipe, make-ahead