Description
Inspired by the famous Mexican street food known as elote, this pasta salad brings those same smoky, creamy, tangy notes into a dish that’s perfect for sharing, blending sweet corn, tender pasta, and vibrant toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, grilled, or frozen and thawed)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese (microbial-rennet)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking, then set aside.
- Prepare the corn: Place the corn on a hot grill or skillet and cook until lightly charred. Once cooled, cut the kernels off the cob.
- Mix the creamy dressing: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine the salad: Add the cooked pasta, corn kernels, diced red onion, cilantro, and half of the cotija cheese into the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Add the finishing touches: Sprinkle the remaining cotija cheese over the top. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes so the flavors meld together.
Notes
For the best flavor, let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the spices and lime to blend with the creamy dressing and sweet corn.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad / Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: street corn pasta salad, elote pasta, Mexican-inspired side dish, creamy corn salad