Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad: A Flavourful Variation on a Classic
If you appreciate the robust flavours of Mexican street corn (Elote) and the satisfying texture of pasta salad, this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is an ideal dish for you! This salad features a combination of charred corn, creamy dressing, smokey spices, and acidic lime, providing an enticing blend of sweet, spicy, creamy, and crunchy flavours in each bite.
This dish is not only simple to prepare but also universally appealing—ideal for barbecues, potlucks, picnics, or as a delectable accompaniment to any meal.
Reasons to Appreciate This Recipe
Vibrant & Robust Flavours – Inspired by genuine Mexican street corn (Elote). Effortless & Swift – Prepared in less than 30 minutes with uncomplicated ingredients. Suitable for Any Event – Ideal for barbecues, picnics and meal preparation. Adaptable – Incorporate proteins such as chicken, shrimp or beans for a more substantial dish. Convenient for Advance Preparation – The flavours enhance in complexity over time!
Required Ingredients
This salad amalgamates traditional Elote components with pasta to produce a creamy, smoky, and somewhat spicy dish.
📌 Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe Card
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings | 6 |
| Cuisine | Mexican-Inspired |
| Course | Side Dish, Main Dish |
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie) | 12 oz |
| Corn (fresh, canned, or frozen) | 2 cups |
| Red bell pepper (diced) | 1 |
| Jalapeño (deseeded & chopped) | 1 |
| Red onion (finely chopped) | ½ small |
| Cilantro (chopped) | ¼ cup |
| Cotija cheese (crumbled) | ½ cup |
| Lime wedges | For serving |
For the Creamy Dressing
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Mayonnaise | ½ cup |
| Sour cream (or Greek yogurt) | ¼ cup |
| Lime juice (freshly squeezed) | 2 tablespoons |
| Chili powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Smoked paprika | ½ teaspoon |
| Garlic powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Cumin | ½ teaspoon |
| Salt & pepper | To taste |
📖 Instructions
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Cook the Pasta | Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside. |
| 2. Char the Corn | Grill fresh corn, sauté frozen corn, or roast canned corn in a skillet for a smoky flavor. |
| 3. Make the Dressing | Whisk together mayo, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. |
| 4. Assemble the Salad | Mix pasta, charred corn, bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, and cilantro in a large bowl. Pour dressing over and toss well. |
| 5. Add Final Touches & Serve | Gently fold in cotija cheese. Garnish with lime wedges and extra chili powder before serving. |
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
✔️ Serve cold or at room temperature.
✔️ Pair with grilled meats or enjoy as a main dish.
✔️ Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Enjoy your zesty, creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad! 🌽🍝
Sequential Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pasta
1️⃣ Bring a substantial saucepan of salted water to a boil.
Cook pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Step 2: Char the Corn
1 If utilising fresh corn, detach the husks and grill over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Allow to cool, then remove the kernels from the cob.
2 If utilising frozen corn, sauté in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until lightly browned.
3 If utilising canned corn, drain and sauté in a skillet for several minutes.
Step 3: Prepare the Dressing
In a bowl, combine and mix mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chilli powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Modify the seasoning according to preference.
Step 4: Construct the Salad
In a substantial bowl, amalgamate cooked pasta, charred corn, bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, and cilantro.
Pour the dressing over the salad and mix until uniformly coated.
Gently incorporate cotija cheese.
Step 5: Present and Relish
Serve the pasta salad immediately, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavours to mingle.
Garnish with additional cotija cheese, lime wedges, and a dusting of chilli powder.
3️⃣ Consume chilled or at ambient temperature!
Recommendations for Serving
Accompany Grilled Meats – Serve with grilled chicken, shrimp or steak for a substantial meal. Transform it into a Meal – Incorporate black beans, shredded chicken or avocado for additional protein. Render it Vegan – Substitute vegan mayo and dairy-free cheese for cotija.
Expert Recommendations for Optimal Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
✔ Utilise Fresh Lime Juice – It imparts the most exquisite tart flavour!
Char the Corn – Imparts a smokey, genuine Elote flavour.
✔ Rinse the Pasta – This inhibits stickiness and facilitates rapid cooling.
✔ Prepare in Advance – This salad improves in flavour after being refrigerated for several hours.
Common Enquiries (CIs)
Is it possible to prepare this pasta salad in advance?Affirmative! Its flavour improves significantly after several hours in the refrigerator, rendering it ideal for meal preparation. Simply whisk it briefly prior to serving.
Feta cheese or grated Parmesan serves as an excellent alternative to cotija cheese.
3. Is this pasta salad piquant?
It possesses a little heat from jalapeños and chilli powder; however, the spice intensity can be modified by reducing or eliminating these ingredients.
4. What is its shelf life in the refrigerator?
Store it in an airtight jar for a maximum of three days. Agitate prior to presentation.
5. Is it permissible to utilise an alternative pasta variety?
Certainly! Rotini, fusilli, penne, or even orzo are excellent options. Select a pasta shape that effectively retains the dressing.
Concluding Reflections
This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is an ideal amalgamation of zesty, smokey, creamy and fresh flavours. This dish will undoubtedly be a success, whether served at a summer barbecue, packed for lunch, or prepared for a gathering.
Experiment with it today and inform us of the outcome! Corn, pasta, fire.
