Bold, creamy, and packed with flavor, this Elote Pasta Salad (Mexican Street Corn) is quick to make, loaded with fresh ingredients, and perfect for meal prep. This easy pasta salad recipe combines charred corn, creamy dressing, cotija cheese, and lime juice using a simple stovetop method that brings out that classic Mexican street corn flavor in every bite.
If you enjoy fresh Mexican flavors, you may also want to try our Elote Corn Dip, Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa, or our Fresh Tomato and Avocado Salad.
Elote Pasta Salad Recipe at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 15 minutes
- 🧊 Optional Chill: 30 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 🔥 Cook Method: Stovetop
- 🍽️ Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Crockpot Birria Tacos, Chicken Tinga Enchiladas, Fire-Roasted Salsa or Guacamole
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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Charring the corn makes all the difference here. We love serving this with grilled chicken for an easy dinner. ~Jami
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The sweetness of corn, tang of lime, and salty cotija cheese create a bold Mexican flavor.
- Quick and Easy Prep: This elote pasta salad recipe comes together in about 30 minutes with simple steps.
- Great for Make-Ahead: The flavors deepen as it sits, making it ideal for meal prep or gatherings.
- Family-Friendly and Flexible: You can easily adjust spice levels or add protein like chicken for a complete dish.
Key Ingredients
Here's everything you'll need to make this creamy pasta salad.
- Fusilli Pasta: This shape holds onto the creamy dressing well and keeps every bite coated.
- Corn: Charred corn adds a smoky flavor that mimics traditional street corn. Fire-roasted corn works great, too.
- Red Onion: Adds a sharp bite that balances the creamy dressing.
- Green Onions: Bring a mild onion flavor and fresh finish.
- Cilantro: Adds brightness and that signature Mexican flavor.
- Jalapeños: Provide a subtle heat that you can adjust based on preference.
- Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base for the dressing.
- Sour Cream: Adds tang and keeps the dressing light.
- Lime Juice: Essential for that fresh citrus flavor in elote.
- Elote Seasoning: A mix of chili powder and spices that brings everything together.
- Garlic: Adds depth and a savory backbone.
- Cotija Cheese: Crumbly and salty, this is the classic cheese used in Mexican street corn.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Sour Cream: Swap for Greek yogurt to add protein and lighten the dressing.
- Cotija Cheese: Use feta cheese instead if that's what you have available.
- Frozen Corn: Works well if fresh corn is not in season.
- High Protein: Add grilled chicken or black beans for a more filling meal.
- Spice Level: Reduce jalapeños or remove seeds for less heat.
- Presentation: Serve in a large platter topped with extra cilantro and lime wedges.
How To Make Elote Pasta Salad (Mexican Street Corn)
STEP ONE: Cook The Pasta
Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and lightly rinse to stop cooking.
STEP TWO: Char The Corn
Heat a skillet and cook the corn undisturbed, then stir until lightly charred. Let cool slightly.
STEP THREE: Make The Dressing
Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, and elote seasoning until smooth.
STEP FOUR: Toss And Finish
Combine pasta, corn, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños with dressing.
Fold in cotija and finish with lime and seasoning.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Char the corn well for a deeper flavor
✔️ DO Let the salad chill for 15 minutes before serving
❌ DO NOT Overdress the pasta or skip the fresh lime juice.
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Storage
Store creamy elote pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended because the creamy dressing can separate. For best results, stir before serving and refresh with a squeeze of lime or a spoonful of dressing if needed.
Elote Pasta Salad Recipe FAQs
Start by cooking pasta and charring corn, then mix everything with a creamy lime-based dressing while slightly warm so the dressing coats evenly. Finish with fresh cilantro and lime.
The main ingredients include pasta, corn, lime juice, cotija cheese, mayonnaise, and spices. These create the signature creamy and tangy flavor.
Additional ingredients like red onion, cilantro, and jalapeños add texture and freshness. Some variations include black beans or protein like chicken for a more filling dish.
Store it in the fridge in a sealed container for up to three days. Stir before serving. The dressing may thicken as it sits, so adding a splash of lime juice helps refresh it.
Yes, it works very well for meal prep because the flavors improve over time.
Make it ahead and store in portions for easy lunches or dinners. Adding protein like chicken or beans makes it even more practical for busy schedules.
Did You Try This Recipe?
Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and comment below. Don't forget to share it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest. Thank you! 💛
📖 Recipe
Elote Pasta Salad (Mexican Street Corn)
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large skillet
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces fusilli pasta
- 2½ cups corn charred for best flavor
- 3 tablespoons red onion finely diced
- 2 tablespoons green onions sliced
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro chopped (plus extra if you like it bright)
- 2 medium jalapeños finely diced and seeds removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for frying
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 medium lime, juice of
- 2 to 3 teaspoons elote seasoning to taste
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Finishing
- ¾ cup cotija cheese crumbled, reserve some for topping
- extra elote seasoning or Tajín
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fusilli pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse lightly under cool water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and corn, then let it sit undisturbed for a couple minutes to develop color. Stir occasionally and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until lightly charred. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, and elote seasoning until smooth. Taste before adding salt since the seasoning already contains salt.
- Add pasta, corn, red onion, green onions, cilantro, and jalapeños (seeds removed) to the dressing. Toss until evenly coated. Fold in cotija cheese. Finish with a sprinkle of elote seasoning and a squeeze of lime just before serving.
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Video
Notes
- Cook the corn undisturbed at first so it develops a deep char.
- Let the pasta cool slightly before mixing to keep the texture perfect.
- Use enough lime juice to keep the flavors bright and balanced.
- Add seasoning gradually so it doesn't become overpowering.
Jami Powell says
We love the fresh Mexican flavors that come together quickly in this salad!