Grilled Corn Elote Pasta Salad
A vibrant Mexican-inspired pasta salad that captures the bold, creamy, and spicy flavors of street-style elote corn, featuring charred corn, cotija cheese, and a tangy lime dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 4 ears fresh corn, husked
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for grilling corn
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Let cool completely.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush corn cobs with oil and grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides. Let cool, then cut kernels off the cob.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, crema (or sour cream), minced garlic, lime juice, and chili powder. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta and grilled corn. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Add the crumbled cotija cheese and half of the chopped cilantro. Toss again to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with remaining cilantro, extra chili powder, and cheese before serving.
Notes
For best results, ensure the corn is completely cool before adding it to the pasta to prevent the cheese from melting into a gloopy mess. The salad tastes better after chilling for a few hours or overnight. If using canned corn, rinse, drain, and sauté to achieve some browning. For a lighter option, substitute half the mayo with Greek yogurt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 10
Keywords: elote pasta salad, grilled corn salad, Mexican street corn, summer pasta salad, cotija cheese, easy side dish, potluck recipe