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What if you were able to take your favorite Mexican street corn and turn it into creamy, flavorful pasta salad? Loaded with tangy lime, smoky spices, and crunchy corn, elote pasta salad is the perfect sidekick for your next BBQ or potluck. Imagine the smoky intensity of charred corn, mingled with the zesty tang of cotija cheese and a chili-lime dressing. Doesn’t that sound good?
Elote Pasta Salad: A Crowd-Pleasing Side Dish
Elote pasta salad embodies the meeting point of the flavors of Mexican street corn and creamy pasta comfort. It is like taking the already-famous elote corn sold on side streets bustling in Mexico and replicating the same tanginess, smokiness, and spiciness in a recipe that can be easily shared at any do.
This salad is perfect for summer BBQs in the United States. With every mouthful, enjoy the contrasting texture combinations of al dente pasta, crunchy corn, and crumbled cotija cheese. Finally, garnish it with the chili-lime dressing that finalizes everything in a zesty, refreshing flavor that has one desiring more.
This recipe is simply perfect whether you are hosting a barbecue with family and friends or wanting to take it to potlucks. It’s also handy when simply looking to spice up the regular dinner table. This dish will surely blow the minds of your friends and family.
Why Elote Pasta Salad Means Summer Memories
Growing up, I always delighted in the vivid tastes of Mexican street corn, often known as elotes. My family would go to celebrations each summer when the air smelled like fried corn. Unbeatable were the creamy mayo covering, sour lime, and sprinkling of chile powder. I knew I wanted to include those beloved tastes into a meal that would be simple to present to a gathering when I started throwing my own summer cookouts.
This elote pasta salad developed that way. On a platter, this meal seems like summer—bright, strong, and filling. Every time I make it, I’m reminded of those happy summer days spent with family and friends; maybe, it will also become part of your unique events.
Spicy Elote Pasta Salad: A Twist on a Classic
Course: Side DishCuisine: Mexican-InspiredDifficulty: EasyServings
6
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
10
minutesCalories per serving
320
kcalIngredients
- For the Pasta Salad:
12 oz pasta (rotini or bow tie)
2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 3 ears of corn) or frozen, thawed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- For the Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- How to Prepare the Pasta:
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil, seasoning it with salt. Cook the pasta until al dente; refer to your cooking instructions in the package for guidelines. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop further cooking, and reserve.
- Cook the Corn:
- If you use any fresh corn, char kernels on a dry skillet with high heat for 4 to 5 minutes until slightly browned, stirring occasionally. Allow it to cool.
- Preparation of Dressing:
- In a bowl of medium capacity, mingle together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper all whisked up. Adjust taste and seasoning as needed.
- Add Salad Mix:
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together cooked pasta, charred corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. Add the dressing over the top and mix it all together.
- Add Cheese:
- Carefully fold in crumbled cotija cheese, reserving a little for garnish.
- Chill and Serve:
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to blend flavors. Toss quickly before serving by adding more cilantro, cotija cheese, and if you wish, a sprinkle of chili powder.
Notes
- To make it more creamier and more protein-packed, try adding chopped avocado or black beans.
- Preserving Food: Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for a maximum of three days.
- Advice: To make it hotter, either garnish with sliced jalapeños or add a touch of cayenne pepper to the dressing. Feta cheese will do in the absence of cotija.
Nutrition Facts
6 servings per container
Serving size 1 cup (150g)
Calories 320
| Total Fat 16g | 21% |
|---|---|
| Saturated Fat 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium 280mg | 12% |
| Total Carbohydrate 35g | 13% |
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 11% |
| Total Sugars 5g | |
| Includes Added Sugars 2g | 4% |
| Protein 8g |
| Vitamin D 0.2mcg | 1% |
|---|---|
| Calcium 100mg | 8% |
| Iron 1.5mg | 8% |
| Potassium 300mg | 6% |
FAQ
Can I create an elote pasta salad ahead of time?
Undoubtedly! One amazing make-ahead food is elote pasta salad. Get it ready one day ahead of time and refrigerated in an airtight container. This lets the tastes marry wonderfully. Just toss it quickly before serving; if necessary, sprinkle a touch extra dressing or lime juice to refresh it.
For elote pasta salad, which kind of pasta best suits?
Short pasta forms that hold onto the creamy chili-lime dressing and blend nicely with the other ingredients—rotini, bow tie, penne—work best. Use your preferred sort of gluten-free pasta if you are seeking for one.
Might I use frozen or canned corn for fresh?
You can definitely! Although frozen corn works great, particularly if scorched in a pan, fresh corn offers the finest flavor and texture. In a hurry, canned corn may be merely drained and wiped dry before lightly toasting it to improve its flavor.
How may I spice up this recipe?
Diced jalapeños or serrano peppers will give your elote pasta salad a fiery edge. You may also sprinkle cayenne pepper or boost the chili powder in the dressing. Top an extra-hot variety with sliced pickled jalapeños.
What makes a decent cotija cheese replacement?
Should cotija cheese prove elusive, crumbled feta is a great substitute. The acidic taste and crumbly texture of both cheeses accentuate the salad really wonderfully. Though it will taste somewhat differently, Parmesan can also be used sparingly.
Elote pasta salad keeps in the refrigerator for what length of time?
Fresh for up to three days in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container elote pasta salad keeps. Remember that the dressing could thicken gradually; so, before serving, you might like to stir with a small lime juice or water to keep its creamy smoothness.
Why You’ll Love Elote Pasta Salad
The ultimate side dish that ups the ante on vibrancy, flavor, and wowing is definitely elote pasta salad. Inspired by Mexico, this recipe is an eclectic fusion of the best creamy, zesty, and smoky elements into a single dish that would have even the pickiest eater begging for seconds- it is great for potlucks, barbecues, or family dinners.
It is also worthy of mention that what makes this recipe even more interesting is that it’s versatile. Fresh corn, frozen corn, or even canned corn will work just as well; you can even choose to keep it mild or throw in a little spicy kick. The presentation is similar when it comes to enticing the viewer, making it a treat for the eyes and equally mouth-watering with such allured textures.
You might make this dish a permanent feature in your kitchen to bring happiness to your table each time it is prepared. So get your items, create a batch, and let the flavors take you back to livelier streets in Mexico, bite after bite. Happy cooking!
