This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad brings together the vibrant flavors of traditional Mexican street corn (elote) with hearty pasta for a sensational side dish that’s both satisfying and refreshing. Featuring blistered corn, tangy lime, and creamy cotija cheese, this pasta salad strikes the perfect balance between comfort food and fresh summer flavors—ready in just 25 minutes for your next dinner or potluck!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Simple: From start to finish, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes—perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Crowd-Pleaser: This pasta salad works beautifully for family dinners, potlucks, or barbecues. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!
Versatile: Enjoy it warm, at room temperature, or chilled—it’s delicious any way you serve it.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of sweet corn, tangy lime, creamy dressing, and salty cheese creates an irresistible flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pasta: The foundation of our salad—choose a medium shape like rotini, farfalle, or penne that will hold the creamy dressing well.
Corn: The star of the show! Canned corn works beautifully, but fresh or frozen corn can be substituted for different textures and flavors.
Butter: Used for sautéing the corn, adding richness and helping achieve those beautiful caramelized edges.
Onion and Garlic: These aromatics build the flavor base—don’t skip them if you want authentic depth of flavor.
Mayonnaise and Sour Cream: Creates the creamy, indulgent dressing that coats every bite with tangy goodness.
Lime Juice: Adds brightness and acidity that cuts through the richness of the dressing—fresh is definitely best here.
Chili Powder and Cayenne: Provides that signature Mexican-inspired warmth and subtle heat without overwhelming the dish.
Cotija Cheese: This crumbly, salty Mexican cheese is traditional for street corn. It doesn’t fully melt, adding delightful texture and flavor bursts throughout the salad.
Olive Oil: Prevents the pasta from sticking together while cooling and adds a subtle richness to the final dish.

Variations

Protein Additions

Transform this side dish into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans for extra protein and staying power.

Veggie Boosters

Fold in diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, avocado chunks, or cucumber for additional freshness and nutritional value.

Heat Level Adjustments

Amp up the spice by adding diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce if you prefer more heat, or reduce the cayenne for a milder version.

Fresh Herbs

Chopped cilantro, green onions, or chives make wonderful fresh additions that complement the Mexican flavors beautifully.

How to Make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Step 1: Blister the Corn

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Add corn, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-7 minutes until the corn develops those beautiful caramelized spots. Transfer to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

While the corn is cooking, prepare your pasta in salted water according to package directions, cooking just until al dente. Drain the pasta and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. Allow it to cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

In a large serving bowl, combine the blistered corn, cooled pasta, and creamy dressing. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Top generously with crumbled cotija cheese and serve.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Pasta Texture: Cook the pasta just until al dente—it will continue absorbing the dressing as it sits.
Corn Preparation: Take the time to properly blister the corn—those caramelized bits add incredible flavor depth that makes this dish special.
Make Ahead: The components can be prepared separately ahead of time and assembled just before serving for maximum freshness.
Temperature Matters: This salad is most flavorful when served slightly warm or at room temperature, but it’s still delicious chilled.

How to Serve

Main Dish Pairings

This versatile pasta salad pairs wonderfully with grilled meats like carne asada, chile-lime chicken, or even simple grilled fish. It’s substantial enough to be the star side dish at your summer barbecue.

Garnish Ideas

For a beautiful presentation, consider garnishing with additional cheese, a sprinkle of chili powder, lime wedges, or chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.

Complete the Meal

Round out your Mexican-inspired feast with complementary sides like guacamole and chips, a simple green salad, or grilled vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight, making this a great make-ahead option.

Refreshing Leftovers

The pasta will absorb some of the dressing as it sits. When ready to serve leftover salad, add a splash of lime juice, a drizzle of olive oil, or even a tablespoon of milk to revive the creamy texture.

Meal Prep Options

This recipe works well for meal prep—cook the pasta and corn ahead of time and store separately from the dressing. Combine everything when you’re ready to eat for the freshest results.

FAQs

Can I use fresh corn instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh corn cut from the cob is fantastic in this recipe. You’ll need about 3-4 ears to get 2 cups of kernels. The extra effort of using fresh corn pays off with sweeter, crunchier results that really elevate the dish.

What’s the best substitute for cotija cheese?
If you can’t find cotija cheese, feta makes an excellent substitute with a similar crumbly texture and salty profile. Queso fresco works well too, offering a milder flavor. In a pinch, even grated parmesan can work, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.

Can I make this recipe ahead for a potluck?
Yes! This pasta salad is perfect for potlucks. Prepare it up to a day ahead, but consider reserving some of the dressing to toss with the salad just before serving. This prevents the pasta from absorbing all the moisture and keeps the salad creamy and fresh.

Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?
For a lighter version, try using Greek yogurt in place of some or all of the sour cream, and light mayonnaise instead of regular. You can also increase the ratio of vegetables to pasta by adding more corn or other vegetables while keeping the pasta amount the same.

Final Thoughts

This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad captures all the beloved flavors of elote in a convenient, shareable format that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. With its perfect balance of sweet corn, tangy lime, creamy dressing, and salty cheese, it’s the kind of dish that disappears quickly at gatherings and leaves everyone asking for the recipe. Give it a try for your next dinner or potluck—I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe