This Elote Pasta Salad puts a bold spin on classic street corn, with charred sweet corn, crisp red peppers and tender pasta all tossed in a creamy and zesty dressing. A sprinkle of cotija cheese adds the perfect salty finish.
This salad is great for lunch or dinner and makes an easy dish to bring to a summer cookout or potluck. With its smoky, tangy and slightly spicy flavors, it’s guaranteed to be a hit!
If you are looking for more pasta salad recipes, check out our: Orecchiette Pasta Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad, Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad or Simple Pasta Salad.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Flavorful: This pasta salad is packed with bold flavors. The smoky charred corn, tangy lime juice and warm spices like cumin and chili powder create a rich taste, while the creamy dressing and salty cotija cheese tie everything together for a perfect balance.
- Refreshing: With fresh ingredients like crisp red peppers, zesty lime juice and plenty of chopped fresh cilantro, this salad has a bright and light quality that makes it perfect for warm weather.
- Simple: This recipe comes together easily with just a few basic steps and some simple ingredients. All you need to do is cook the corn, toss everything in a bowl and mix up the quick dressing.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this perfect side dish
- Olive oil: Use regular olive oil in this recipe.
- Corn: You can use either fresh corn or frozen corn.
- Garlic: I recommend fresh garlic over jarred garlic.
- Red pepper: Any bell pepper will taste great in this recipe.
- Red onion: You can use red onion or shallot in this recipe.
- Cilantro
- Pasta: You will need 4 cups of cooked pasta.
- Greek yogurt: This provides a delicious tangy flavor and added protein to the recipe.
- Mayonnaise
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice will give you the brightest fresh flavor.
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Salt & black pepper
- Cotija cheese
Directions
Let's make this perfect summer side dish together!
- Step 1: In a large pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the corn and garlic and saute until the corn is fully cooked and slightly charred, about 10 minutes.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the corn, red pepper, red onion, cilantro, and pasta.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the corn mixture and toss everything together until well combined. Top with the cotija cheese, serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this easy mexican street corn pasta salad:
- Char the corn: For that authentic "elote" taste, be sure to cook the corn until it’s slightly charred. This brings out a smoky sweetness that makes the salad stand out.
- Make ahead of time: If you want to save time, you can make this salad a few hours ahead or even the night before. The flavors will meld together, making it even more delicious.
- Adjust the heat level: Adjust the amount of chili powder or add in some chopped jalapeños if you prefer more heat. It’s easy to customize this recipe to your taste!
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this easy elote pasta salad. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large bowl: Use a large bowl to serve this salad. I love this one!
- Skillet: A large, deep skillet is perfect for cooking things evenly and preventing any ingredients from spilling over.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this Mexican street corn salad.
- Cotija cheese: If you can’t find cotija, feta cheese or queso fresco are great substitutes because they are crumbly and salty, with a similar texture. For a different twist, you can use grated parmesan cheese instead of cotija.
- Greek yogurt: If you prefer a richer, tangier taste, you can swap Greek yogurt for sour cream. If Greek yogurt is too thick for your liking, regular plain yogurt will work too.
- Paprika: Swap regular paprika for smoked paprika to add a deeper, smoky flavor to the dressing.
- Additions: For extra heat, throw in some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Diced avocado can add a creamy richness to balance out the tangy dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, short pasta shapes like rotini, fusilli or elbow macaroni work best as they hold the dressing well and allow the flavors to coat every bite. You can also use gluten-free pasta if you're following a gluten-free diet.
Yes, you can use canned corn instead of fresh or frozen. Just be sure to drain and rinse it thoroughly before sautéing it to remove excess liquid.
Absolutely! Grilled chicken, shrimp or black beans are great options to add protein and make this salad a more filling meal. Feel free to customize it based on your preferences or dietary needs.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe:
- Refrigerator Storage: Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days for the best freshness.
- Freezer Storage: Freezing is not recommended for this salad, as the texture of the pasta and vegetables may change once thawed.
Other Recipes to Try
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
Easy Elote Pasta Salad Recipe (Mexican Street Corn)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups corn fresh or frozen
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 red pepper diced
- ½ red onion diced
- 1 cup cilantro chopped
- 4 cups cooked pasta
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup cotija cheese plus more for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add corn and garlic and sauté for 10 minutes, until fully cooked and slightly charred.
- Add corn, red pepper, red onion, cilantro, and pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well, then add to the corn. Mix well.
- Top with Cotija cheese and serve.
Notes
Storage:
- Refrigerator Storage: Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days for the best freshness.
- Freezer Storage: Freezing is not recommended for this salad, as the texture of the pasta and vegetables may change once thawed.
Tips and Tricks:
- Char the corn: For that authentic "elote" taste, be sure to cook the corn until it’s slightly charred. This brings out a smoky sweetness that makes the salad stand out.
- Make ahead of time: If you want to save time, you can make this salad a few hours ahead or even the night before. The flavors will meld together, making it even more delicious.
- Adjust the heat level: Adjust the amount of chili powder or add in some chopped jalapeños if you prefer more heat. It’s easy to customize this recipe to your taste!
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