If you love vibrant flavors and easy crowd-pleasing dishes, you’re in for a treat with this Elote Pasta Salad. Think creamy, tangy, cheesy street corn—only tossed with tender pasta and a medley of fresh, bold ingredients. This isn’t just a salad; it’s the ultimate Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite, perfect for sharing at backyard gatherings, laid-back potlucks, or those nights when you want something fun and out of the ordinary. With its irresistible combination of Mexican-inspired spices, smoky corn, and a burst of lime, you’ll find yourself coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Elote Pasta Salad brings something special, blending everyday staples with a burst of flavor and color. The list is short and sweet—simple to find, yet every component packs a punch, contributing to a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
- Pasta: Short shapes like rotini or penne catch all the dressing and bits, adding texture and heartiness.
- Corn Kernels: Use fresh, grilled, or even frozen (thawed) corn for a sweet, slightly smoky bite.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy backbone that coats every piece with richness.
- Sour Cream: Balances the mayo with tang and lightness; Greek yogurt works for a lighter version.
- Lime Juice: Adds citrusy brightness that makes the whole salad pop.
- Lime Zest: Intensifies the lime flavor for extra zing.
- Chili Powder: Lends just the right amount of warmth and kicks up the authenticity.
- Smoked Paprika: Infuses the salad with a subtle smokiness reminiscent of street corn off the grill.
- Garlic (minced): A fresh, aromatic punch that elevates the dressing.
- Cotija Cheese: Crumbly and salty, it brings creamy bursts throughout each bite.
- Fresh Cilantro: Herbaceous and bright, it adds freshness and color.
- Red Onion: Finely diced for a sweet, crisp counterpoint.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential to bring all the flavors together harmoniously.
How to Make Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by boiling your favorite short pasta (rotini or penne are fantastic choices) in salted water until perfectly al dente. This is your sturdy salad base, so don’t overcook! Drain and immediately rinse the pasta under cold water. This stops the cooking and gives you cool, perfectly textured pasta that won’t get mushy in the salad.
Step 2: Char the Corn
Heat a large skillet over medium-high and add your corn kernels—no need to add oil, just a hot pan. Let the corn sit undisturbed for a couple of minutes, then stir occasionally until the edges are golden and a bit smoky, about 4–5 minutes. Charring the corn builds on the street corn vibe and deepens the flavor, truly making this a Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a big mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, freshly squeezed lime juice, zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, minced garlic, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. This dressing is where the magic starts; it’s tangy, spicy, and ultra-creamy, just like the topping on authentic elote.
Step 4: Combine the Salad
Add the cooled pasta, charred corn, crumbled cotija, chopped cilantro, and red onion to your bowl of dressing. Give everything a gentle but thorough toss until every noodle and kernel is coated. It’s a feast for the eyes as much as for the tastebuds, thanks to all the color and texture mingling together.
Step 5: Chill and Let the Flavors Meld
Cover the salad and chill it for at least 30 minutes before serving. This short rest lets the dressing soak into the pasta and brings all the flavors together, transforming it into a true Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite that gets better with time.
How to Serve Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite
Garnishes
To finish, I love piling on extra crumbled cotija, a handful of chopped cilantro, and a dusting of chili powder. For a special touch, a few lime wedges or sliced jalapeños on the side let your guests customize each bite. Garnishes pull double duty: providing stunning visual appeal and ramping up the wow factor on flavor.
Side Dishes
This Elote Pasta Salad pairs wonderfully with grilled meats like steak or chicken, juicy burgers, or smoky BBQ fare. It’s also a superstar alongside lighter veggie dishes or a crisp green salad. For a complete spread, set it out with a big bowl of tortilla chips and a tangy salsa—the perfect table of Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite companions!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties and potlucks, scoop your pasta salad into individual cups or small jars for a festive, mess-free presentation. Or, serve atop grilled avocado halves for a fun, Insta-worthy appetizer. You can even pile it into lettuce cups as a fresh, hand-held take on your favorite Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, transfer them into an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. The flavors settle and intensify overnight, making it a fantastic next-day lunch or snack. Just give everything a quick stir before serving to reincorporate the dressing.
Freezing
While this salad is best enjoyed fresh, you technically can freeze it—though the texture of the pasta and dressing may change a bit upon thawing. For absolute best quality, keep it in the fridge and aim to finish within 3 days, so every bite retains its creamy, fresh street-corn flavor.
Reheating
There’s really no need to reheat; this salad is designed to be served cold or at room temperature. If you prefer, let it sit out for a few minutes after removing from the fridge so the flavors come alive. Stir well and adjust seasoning with a pinch more salt or lime juice if needed before serving.
FAQs
Can I make Elote Pasta Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, this dish is fantastic when made a few hours or even a day in advance. The flavors develop and meld, creating an even tastier Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite by the time you’re ready to serve.
What type Side Dish
Whether you use fresh, grilled, or frozen (and thawed) corn, you’ll get wonderful results. For extra flavor, grilling or charring the corn gives you authentic street food smokiness that really makes this a Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Definitely! Just swap the mayo and sour cream for plant-based alternatives and use a vegan-friendly cheese in place of cotija. You’ll still get that rich, creamy Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite feel with every bite.
How spicy is this salad?
As written, it has a gentle warmth from chili powder and smoked paprika. If you love a little more heat, add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to kick up this Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite to your preferred spice level.
What pasta shapes work best?
Short, twisty shapes like rotini, penne, or fusilli are ideal because they hold onto the creamy dressing and little corn kernels beautifully. If you only have elbows or shells, those will still create a delicious, easy-to-eat Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Elote Pasta Salad is like bringing a street festival onto your table, full of zest, color, and bold flavor. I hope you’re inspired to try this Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite for your next gathering—or even just a night when you want to shake things up. Trust me, it’ll disappear fast, so make plenty!
Print
Twist on a Classic Street Food Favorite Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Elote Pasta Salad is a vibrant twist on a classic street food favorite. This Mexican-American inspired dish combines pasta, charred corn, zesty lime, and creamy cotija cheese for a flavorful and satisfying salad that’s perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 ounces short pasta (like rotini or penne)
Corn Mixture:
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, grilled, or frozen and thawed)
Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Additional:
- 1 cup cotija cheese (crumbled)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- ¼ cup red onion (finely diced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Char the Corn: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, char the corn kernels for 4–5 minutes until slightly golden and smoky. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, charred corn, cotija cheese, cilantro, and red onion to the dressing. Toss until everything is well coated.
- Chill: Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Serve: Garnish with extra cheese, cilantro, and a sprinkle of chili powder if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Greek yogurt can replace sour cream for a lighter version.
- Best served cold or at room temperature, perfect for potlucks or BBQs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 440mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
