Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

Vibrant pasta salad with sweet corn, zesty lime, and creamy smoky dressing inspired by Mexican street corn flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 cups corn kernels, fresh, grilled or frozen and thawed
03 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
06 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Cheese

07 - 3/4 cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese

→ Dressing

08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 1/4 cup sour cream
10 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
11 - 1 tsp lime zest
12 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1 tsp hot sauce
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool completely.
02 - If using fresh corn kernels, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and char the corn until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, charred corn kernels, diced red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well blended.
05 - Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
06 - Gently fold in all but 2 tablespoons of the cotija or feta cheese, reserving the remainder for garnish. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the reserved cheese.
07 - Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled for optimal taste and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It hits those irresistible elote flavors you crave at street fairs, but in a form that feeds a crowd without the mess
  • The dressing clings to every twist of pasta, so each bite is perfectly balanced and bursting with flavor
02 -
  • The pasta soaks up dressing as it sits, so if making ahead, reserve a little dressing to refresh before serving
  • Cotija can be tricky to find, but a salty feta works beautifully in a pinch
03 -
  • Grilling the corn kernels instead of boiling them adds that authentic street corn flavor that makes this salad sing
  • Let the salad chill for the full 20 minutes minimum, the flavors transform completely in that time

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