If you love Mexican street corn (Elote), you’re going to fall head-over-heels for this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad. It’s creamy, zesty, and bursting with flavor from charred corn, chili spices, fresh cilantro, and crumbled Cotija cheese—all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This festive side dish is a must for BBQs, potlucks, taco nights, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing, flavor-packed salad.
It’s everything you love about elote, but turned into a hearty, make-ahead pasta salad that’s easy to prep and impossible to resist.
Why You’ll Love Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
✨ All the Elote Flavors: Smoky, creamy, tangy, and a little spicy.
✨ Easy & Quick: Ready in just 25 minutes with simple ingredients.
✨ Perfect for Gatherings: A colorful and crowd-pleasing dish for potlucks and BBQs.
✨ Make-Ahead Friendly: Tastes even better after chilling.
✨ Customizable Heat Level: Add jalapeños, hot sauce, or keep it mild.
Time Needed
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta (cooled)
- 2 cups corn (grilled, frozen, or canned)
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ⅓ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
How to Make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
1️⃣ Prep the Pasta & Corn
- Cook rotini or penne pasta according to package instructions.
- Drain, rinse under cold water, and let cool.
- If using grilled corn, slice kernels off the cob. If using frozen, thaw it; if canned, drain well.
2️⃣ Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
3️⃣ Toss Everything Together
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and corn.
- Pour the dressing over the top and toss until fully coated.
- Fold in chopped cilantro and crumbled Cotija cheese.
4️⃣ Chill & Serve
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Before serving, garnish with extra cilantro, Cotija, and a sprinkle of chili powder for presentation.
Serving Ideas
🌮 With Tacos or Fajitas
🍗 As a BBQ Side Dish
🥗 Alongside Grilled Meats or Veggie Skewers
🌶️ Add Jalapeños or Hot Sauce for an extra kick
🍹 Pair with a Margarita or Agua Fresca
Expert Tips for Best Results
- Use Grilled Corn: For the most authentic smoky flavor, grill fresh corn on the cob.
- Cool Pasta Completely: Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the salad crisp.
- Chill Before Serving: This salad tastes best when chilled for at least 30 minutes.
- Make it Spicy: Add diced jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Swap Cotija for Feta: If Cotija isn’t available, crumbled feta makes a great substitute.
Fun Recipe Variations
- Avocado Street Corn Pasta Salad: Add diced avocado for extra creaminess.
- Bacon Elote Pasta Salad: Fold in crispy bacon bits for a smoky, savory boost.
- Southwest Black Bean Twist: Mix in black beans and diced red bell pepper.
- Chipotle Cream Dressing: Blend chipotle peppers in adobo into the dressing for a smoky heat.
- Greek Yogurt Version: Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt for a protein-packed twist.
- Sweet Corn & Mango: Add diced mango for a tropical sweetness.
- Tajin Sprinkle: Finish with a dusting of Tajin seasoning for a tangy chili-lime punch.
- Queso Fresco Alternative: Use queso fresco if you prefer a milder cheese.
- Pasta Shells Option: Try using small pasta shells for a fun texture swap.
- Make it a Main Dish: Add grilled shrimp or shredded rotisserie chicken.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Best Served Cold: Give it a quick toss before serving again to refresh the dressing.
- Not Freezer-Friendly: This salad doesn’t freeze well due to the creamy dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes! It actually tastes better after chilling, making it a perfect make-ahead dish.
Can I use frozen or canned corn?
Absolutely. Just thaw frozen corn or drain canned corn well before using.
Is Cotija cheese necessary?
While Cotija gives it that authentic street corn flavor, you can substitute with feta or queso fresco.
Can I lighten up the dressing?
Yes, use light mayo, low-fat sour cream, or even Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
Final Thoughts
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a bright, creamy, and absolutely irresistible side dish that brings the fiesta to any table. It’s everything you love about elote, combined with tender pasta and a zesty, smoky dressing that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just need a fun twist on pasta salad, this recipe is a guaranteed hit.
Print
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a creamy, zesty, and flavor-packed twist on classic elote, tossed with pasta, chili spices, fresh cilantro, and Cotija cheese. It’s the ultimate side dish for BBQs, taco nights, and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta (cooled)
- 2 cups corn (grilled, frozen, or canned)
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ⅓ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and let cool.
- Prepare corn by grilling and slicing kernels, thawing frozen corn, or draining canned corn.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and corn. Pour dressing over and toss until fully coated.
- Fold in chopped cilantro and crumbled Cotija cheese. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Before serving, garnish with extra cilantro, Cotija, and a sprinkle of chili powder for presentation.
Notes
Grill fresh corn for an authentic smoky flavor. Ensure pasta is completely cooled to maintain the salad’s crisp texture. Chill for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Adjust spice level by adding jalapeños or hot sauce. Cotija can be swapped with feta or queso fresco.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: street corn pasta salad, elote salad, cotija, bbq side dish, creamy pasta salad, Mexican salad