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Creamy Elote Street Corn Pasta Salad

creamy elote street corn pasta salad - featured image
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A creamy, smoky, and tangy pasta salad inspired by Mexican street corn, perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 3 cups grilled or roasted corn kernels (about 4 ears)
  • 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta as substitute)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • Juice of 2 limes (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While the pasta cooks, preheat grill, grill pan, or cast-iron skillet to medium-high heat. Brush 4 ears of corn lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until charred in spots and fragrant, about 8–10 minutes. Let cool slightly, then cut kernels off the cob (about 3 cups). If fresh corn isn’t available, sauté frozen corn in a hot skillet until lightly browned.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, juice of 2 limes, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  4. Add grilled corn kernels, 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 2 thinly sliced green onions to the bowl with cooled pasta. Pour dressing over salad and gently toss until evenly coated, being careful not to mash the corn or pasta.
  5. Cover salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, gently toss again and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lime juice if needed.

Notes

Toss pasta with a little olive oil after rinsing to help dressing cling better. Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor melding and texture. Use fresh cotija cheese for best salty punch. Avoid overmixing to prevent breaking pasta and squishing corn. For extra smoky flavor, sprinkle smoked paprika before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, elote, street corn, creamy, summer recipe, cotija cheese, Mexican flavors, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/creamy-elote-street-corn-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-perfect-for-summer/