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Elote Pasta Salad Recipe

This Elote Pasta Salad is bursting with sweet corn, zesty lime, and creamy dressing. A fresh take on a summer classic!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican/Spanish
Keyword: Elote Pasta Salad, Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 224kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

  • 2 (12 ounce) packages fire roasted corn (or about 8-10 grilled corn cobs, see notes)
  • 8 ounces ditalini pasta (how many cups?)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (divided)
  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (or to taste)
  • 1 lime zested and juiced
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese (crumbled)
  • tajin (for garnish, to taste)

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat corn over medium-high heat until cooked through, stirring often (about 6-8 minutes). Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
    If you want to use fresh corn, you can also roast it on the grill (see notes below)
    Grilling corn on the cob on barbecue with tongs.
  • In a large saucepan, cook ditalini according to package directions or until just al dente. For me, this was about 9 minutes, even though the package said to cook for 10 minutes.
    Drain and rinse under cold water and set aside to drain.
    Cooked pasta in a colander.
  • In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, sriracha, chili powder, cumin, cilantro, and lime zest and juice. Stir until well combined and smooth.
    Glass mixing bowl with pasta salad dressing ingredients including mayo, sour cream, cilantro, lime zest and juice, sriracha, chili powder and cumin.
  • Add corn, pasta, and Cotija cheese to the bowl and stir well to combine.
    Combining Elote pasta salad in a glass mixing bowl with a spatula.
  • Garnish with extra cilantro and Cotija for serving. Serve immediately (I think it tastes immediately after preparing) or refrigerate until ready to serve.
    For added flavor and garnish, sprinkle Tajin over the top or over individual servings to taste.
    Glass mixing bowl with Elote Pasta Salad garnished with lime and cilantro.

Notes

To grill corn -  Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place husked corn directly on the grates, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, about 10–15 minutes. For extra flavor, brush with butter and sprinkle with salt or seasoning before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 337mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 153IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg