Elote Pasta Salad (Mexican Street Corn)
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 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.
Servings: 6
Calories: 497kcal
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.
Video
Notes
Cooking Notes:
Char the corn properly and balance the dressing before mixing everything together. Let the salad sit briefly so flavors come together.
Tips for Best Results:
- 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.
Nutrition
Calories: 497kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 424mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 513IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 2mg
