Mexican Street Corn Pasta (Printable Version)

Creamy pasta with sweet corn, lime, and spice for a bright and tasty summer side dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
03 - ½ small red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
05 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

07 - ⅓ cup mayonnaise
08 - ⅓ cup sour cream
09 - ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as substitute)
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1 lime, zested and juiced
12 - 1 tsp chili powder
13 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp ground cumin
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish (optional)

16 - Extra cotija cheese
17 - Additional cilantro
18 - Lime wedges
19 - Chili powder or Tajín for sprinkling

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Boil short pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
02 - Heat skillet over medium-high; add corn and sauté 3–4 minutes until slightly charred. Allow to cool.
03 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta, charred corn, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions with the dressing until evenly coated.
05 - Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed.
06 - Transfer to serving dish and garnish with extra cotija, cilantro, chili powder or Tajín, and lime wedges. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The charred corn brings that authentic elote flavor without needing a grill
  • This salad actually gets better as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep or make-ahead parties
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water or it will keep cooking and turn mushy
  • The salad needs at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator for flavors to meld together
03 -
  • Use a box grater to shred extra cotija over the top right before serving for the prettiest presentation
  • Keep some extra lime wedges on hand so guests can add more acidity to their liking
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