Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe

If you love the irresistible flavors of elote, you are going to flip for this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad! It’s creamy, tangy, a little smoky, and pops with color, making it the star of any summer barbecue or potluck. Every forkful is a fiesta of tender pasta, charred sweet corn, zingy lime, and cotija cheese — trust me, you’ll want seconds (and maybe even thirds!).

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is how a handful of colorful, fresh ingredients come together into something truly crave-worthy. Every ingredient plays a starring role, bringing everyone’s favorite layers of flavor, texture, and pop of color to the bowl.

• Rotini Pasta: Its spiral shape is perfect for catching all that creamy, tangy dressing and bits of corn.
• Mayonnaise & Sour Cream: This dreamy duo brings the classic elote-style creaminess to every bite.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Adds zing and brightness, keeping things light and lively.
• Smoked Paprika, Chili Powder, Cumin, Chipotle Chile Powder, Black Pepper, Salt: These powerhouse spices bring warmth, a gentle heat, and irresistible smokiness.
• Olive Oil: For getting that gorgeous char on the corn.
• Frozen Sweet Corn: Quick, simple, and every bit as delicious as fresh when charred up—don’t even bother shucking!
• Green Onions: Brings mild onion flavor and fresh crunch throughout the salad.
• Jalapeño Pepper: For just the right amount of gentle, fresh heat (keep the seeds out or dial it up to your liking).
• Fresh Cilantro: For herby pop and color—stir in some, save some for a confetti-like garnish.
• Cotija Cheese: That salty, crumbly, authentic finish that takes this salad from tasty to “please give me the recipe!”

Variations

One of the best things about Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is just how easy it is to tweak and tailor to fit your cravings or whatever’s hanging out in your fridge. Don’t be afraid to get creative — this recipe is all about making it your own!

• Extra Heat: Swap in serrano peppers for jalapeño, or add extra chipotle for smoky spice.
• Cheese Switch: No cotija? Crumbled feta makes a fantastic substitute with a similar punch.
• Protein Boost: Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans for a hearty main dish pasta salad.
• Lighter Dressing: Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream or mayo to add a little tang while keeping things lighter.
• More Veggies: Diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or even avocado can add color and fresh flavor.

How to Make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by boiling your rotini pasta in a big pot of salted water, just until al dente—tender but still with a pleasant bite. Drain it well, and set it aside to cool off a bit (no one wants a hot mess here; slightly warm pasta is ideal for soaking up flavor without melting your dressing).

Step 2: Make the Creamy Dressing

While the pasta cooks, grab a small bowl and whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, salt, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and chipotle chile powder. The result is a creamy concoction that’s bold with Mexican street corn flavor—taste and adjust any seasonings to your liking!

Step 3: Char the Corn and Veggies

Heat a heavy skillet (cast iron is best for a smoky sear) over high heat. Add olive oil, corn, 1 cup of green onions, and the diced jalapeño. Let everything sit undisturbed, stirring just a few times, so the corn gets those sweet golden “blisters” you’d expect from street vendors. That caramelized flavor is so worth the extra minute!

Step 4: Combine Everything

In a big bowl, mix together the (mostly cooled) pasta, your charred corn mixture, the fabulous dressing, the remaining green onions, two tablespoons of cilantro, and almost all of your cotija cheese (hold back a little for garnish). Toss until every single spiral is dressed and there are tempting bursts of corn, cheese, and herbs in every scoop.

Step 5: Garnish & Serve

Scoop the pasta salad into a pretty serving bowl, sprinkle with the reserved cotija and remaining cilantro, and let the fiesta begin! Serve right away or chill for deeper flavor—either way, this salad absolutely delivers on the wow factor.

How to Serve Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Garnishes

You can make this salad the centerpiece of your table with just a couple of garnishing tricks: a generous sprinkle of cotija cheese, lots of fresh cilantro, extra green onions, and a dusting of chili powder to really highlight those Mexican street corn flavors. Try a squeeze of lime on top just before serving for a bright finish that wakes up every spoonful!

Side Dishes

This pasta salad plays guitar to any summer spread! Pair it with smoky grilled steak, juicy burgers, BBQ chicken, or even crisp grilled veggies. For a full-on fiesta, serve alongside tacos, quesadillas, or spicy black beans for a meal that’ll have everyone raving.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, try serving Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad in individual cups or mason jars, perfect for walking around and mingling. Or, heap it onto a large platter lined with romaine leaves for a showstopper effect. Little secret: set out bowls of extra cheese, lime wedges, or pickled jalapeños so your guests can customize every bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 days—just give it a quick toss before serving in case the dressing has settled at the bottom.

Freezing

While it’s tempting to freeze those leftovers, creamy pasta salads don’t freeze well—the dressing tends to separate when thawed. For best results, enjoy this dish fresh or from the fridge within a few days.

Reheating

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat. If you’d like, let it sit out for 15–20 minutes to take the chill off before serving.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dish that will get everyone talking (and coming back for seconds), you owe it to yourself to make this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad. It’s vibrant, crave-worthy, and genuinely fun to eat—so go on, put a little elote-inspired magic on your table!

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