How To Make Elote Pasta Salad

If you’ve ever savored the smoky, tangy flavors of Mexican street corn, or elote, imagine combining that deliciousness with the creamy comfort of pasta. Enter the ultimate summer dish: elote pasta salad! This isn’t your average pasta salad—it’s a bold, flavor-packed fusion that brings the vibrant essence of street food right to your table.

Perfect for backyard barbecues, potlucks, or even a quick weekday meal, this dish transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Creamy, zesty, and with just the right amount of spice, elote pasta salad is here to impress your taste buds and wow your guests. Are you prepared to elevate the flavor in your kitchen?

Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients for the Best Elote Pasta Salad

To create this mouthwatering dish, you’ll need a mix of fresh, flavorful ingredients that come together in perfect harmony. Here’s a list of all the ingredients required to create the most flavorful elote pasta salad.

Ingredients Table

Tips for Choosing Ingredients

• Corn: Fresh corn is ideal. Grill it for a smoky touch, but if fresh isn’t available, frozen or canned corn works in a pinch.
• Cheese: Cotija cheese provides authenticity, but feta can mimic its tangy flavor.
• Substitutes: Greek yogurt is a great alternative to sour cream for a lighter version.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Elote Pasta Salad

Crafting this dish is simple and rewarding. Follow these steps to bring your elote pasta salad to life.

1. Cook the Pasta

• Heat water in a big pot and put in a generous pinch of salt.
• Cook the pasta until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes, depending on the type).
• Drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly and prevent overcooking.

2. Prepare the Corn

• Grill the corn on an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan until it develops a slight char, about 3-5 minutes per side.
• Let it cool, then use a knife to carefully slice the kernels off the cob.

3. Make the Dressing

• In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Fine-tune seasonings to your liking if needed.

4. Combine the Ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with grilled corn, Cotija cheese, and chopped cilantro.
• Drizzle the dressing onto the blend and mix until all ingredients are evenly covered.

5. Optional Add-Ins

• Add diced jalapeños for a spicy kick or diced avocado for extra creaminess.
• Sprinkle additional Cotija cheese and chili powder on top for a professional-looking garnish.

Pro Tips and Variations for Elote Pasta Salad

Take your elote pasta salad to the next level with these tips and creative variations.

Tips for Success

• Chill Time: Let the salad sit in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving to blend the flavors effectively.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare the dressing and grill the corn a day ahead to save time.
• Toppings: Don’t skimp on garnishes—extra Cotija cheese and a squeeze of lime add the perfect finishing touch.

Creative Variations

• Spicy Elote Salad: Add a dash of hot sauce or sprinkle cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
• Protein-Packed: Toss in grilled shrimp, shredded chicken, or black beans to make it a complete meal.
• Vegan Version: Swap mayo with vegan alternatives and use plant-based cheese substitutes.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice for a lighter version.

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

Your elote pasta salad is versatile and can be served in various ways, whether it’s for a casual dinner or a festive gathering.

How to Serve

• As a Side Dish: Pair with grilled meats like steak, chicken, or fish for a complete meal.
• Main Dish: Add your favorite protein to transform it into a hearty entree.
• Party Food: Serve in small cups at parties or barbecues for a fun, portable option.

Presentation Tips

• Serve the salad in a large bowl and garnish with fresh cilantro, Cotija cheese, and a dusting of chili powder for a visually stunning dish.

Storage Tips

• Refrigeration: Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh for around 3 days.
• Refreshing Leftovers: Before serving leftovers, mix in a squeeze of lime juice and a little extra dressing to revive the flavors.
• Avoid Freezing: The creamy dressing doesn’t freeze well, so it’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

Elote Pasta Salad

If you’ve ever enjoyed the smoky, tangy flavors of Mexican street corn (elote), this dish is a creamy, zesty fusion combining elote’s vibrant essence with the comfort of pasta. Perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or weekday meals, it’s bold, flavorful, and easy to prepare.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Resting time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 53 minutes mins

Course Main Course, pasta, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 people

Calories 299 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Large pot For cooking pasta
• 1 Grill or grill pan To char the corn
• 1 Large mixing bowl For combining ingredients
• 1 Knife To cut ingredients
• 1 Whisk For preparing the dessing

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz Pasta
• 4 ears Fresh corn
• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup Sour cream
• 2 tbsp Lime juice
• 1/2 cup Cotija cheese
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 1/4 cup of cilantro
• 1 clove Garlic
• Salt and pepper
• 1 optional Jalapeño
• 1 optional Avocado

Instructions

 

• Cook the Pasta
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook pasta until al dente (about 8–10 minutes).
• Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and prevent overcooking.
• Prepare the Corn
• Grill the corn on an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan for 3–5 minutes per side until lightly charred.
• Let it cool, then carefully slice kernels off the cob using a knife.
• Make the Dressing
• In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Combine Ingredients
• In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta, grilled corn, Cotija cheese, and chopped cilantro.
• Drizzle the dressing over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
• Optional Add-Ins
• For extra flavor, add diced jalapeños for heat or avocado for creaminess.
• Chill and Serve
• Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
• Garnish with additional Cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime wedges if desired.

Notes

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Refresh with lime juice and dressing before serving again.
• Pro Tip: Grilled shrimp, shredded chicken, or black beans can be added to make this a complete meal.

Keyword creamy pasta salad, elote pasta salad, mexican street corn pasta salad recipe, Mexican street corn salad

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a dish that’s as bold in flavor as it is easy to make, elote pasta salad is the perfect choice. This creamy, zesty, and slightly smoky salad brings together the best of Mexican street food with the comforting familiarity of pasta. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, attending a potluck, or just craving something unique for dinner, this recipe will never fail to impress.

The beauty of this Mexican street corn pasta salad recipe lies in its versatility. You can customize it to suit your taste, add your favorite ingredients, and even make it a full meal by incorporating proteins like shrimp or chicken. Every bite is a vibrant celebration of fresh, tangy, and creamy goodness that’s bound to make it a go-to recipe in your household.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, fire up the grill, and bring the irresistible flavors of elote pasta salad to your table. Remember to share your outcomes and inform us about howyou personalized this recipe. We are excited to receive your feedback!

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