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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

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This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful side dish that brings the classic Mexican street corn (Elote) to a whole new level. The creamy, tangy dressing pairs perfectly with the smoky charred corn, pasta, fresh cilantro, and a hint of lime. This colorful and satisfying dish is ideal for summer barbecues, picnics, or any occasion that calls for a delicious, crowd-pleasing salad.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Salad:
    • 1 lb rotini or elbow pasta
    • 2 cups fresh corn kernels (or 2 cups frozen corn, thawed)
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 red bell pepper, diced
    • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
    • ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • For the Dressing:
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 1 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside to cool.

2️⃣ Prepare the Corn:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fresh or thawed corn kernels and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the corn is charred. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.

3️⃣ Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.

4️⃣ Assemble the Salad:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, charred corn, diced bell pepper, chopped onion, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well-coated.

5️⃣ Add the Cheese:
Sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese over the top and gently toss to combine.

6️⃣ Serve:
Chill the salad in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. Serve cold and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can swap the cotija cheese with feta cheese for a similar texture and flavor.
  • For extra spice, sprinkle some chili powder or cayenne pepper on top before serving.
  • This salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep.

Keywords: Mexican street corn pasta salad, Elote pasta salad, corn pasta salad, Mexican corn salad, summer pasta salad

Find it online: https://masonrecipes.com/mexican-street-corn-pasta-salad/