Description
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a creamy, zesty twist on classic elote packed with sweet corn, tender pasta, lime, chili, and cotija cheese. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and summer dinners, this easy pasta salad combines bold Mexican street corn flavor with a rich, tangy dressing that everyone loves.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups corn kernels
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 diced avocado
Instructions
- 1. Cook rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente then drain and cool
- 2. Grill or sauté corn kernels until lightly charred
- 3. Whisk mayonnaise sour cream lime juice lime zest chili powder paprika garlic powder salt and pepper
- 4. Add cooled pasta and corn to the bowl and toss to coat
- 5. Fold in red onion cilantro jalapeño and most of the cotija cheese
- 6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt lime juice or chili powder
- 7. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving
- 8. Top with avocado extra cotija and cilantro before serving
Notes
- Grilled corn adds authentic street corn flavor
- Use rotini or fusilli so dressing clings to pasta
- Chill salad before serving for best flavor
- Add avocado right before serving to prevent browning
- Swap Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing
- Add grilled chicken for a high protein version
- Sprinkle Tajin for extra citrus chili flavor
- Reserve some cheese and cilantro for garnish
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Mexican street corn pasta salad, elote pasta salad, corn pasta salad, summer pasta salad