Description
Elote Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful twist on the classic Mexican street corn, combining tender pasta with sweet corn, creamy cotija cheese, and a zesty, smoky dressing. This refreshing side dish is perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, or as a standalone meal when boosted with extra protein.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Corn
- 12 oz rotini or elbow pasta
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, grilled, or frozen and thawed)
Dressing and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Fresh Additions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- Optional: sliced jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, corn kernels, crumbled cotija cheese, finely chopped red onion, and chopped cilantro to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, lime juice, or chili powder to suit your preference.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Before serving, garnish with extra cotija cheese, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime if desired.
Notes
- For authentic smoky flavor, grill the corn before cutting off the kernels.
- This salad pairs well with grilled meats or can be a stand-alone dish for cookouts and potlucks.
- To make it more hearty, add grilled chicken or black beans for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling and Mixing (No-Cook after boiling pasta)
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
