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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and delicious fusion of classic Mexican flavors and comforting pasta. This dish brings together the essence of elote with a creamy dressing, making it perfect for potlucks, picnics, or family dinners. With its delightful combination of lime juice, cotija cheese, and spices, this salad is sure to impress both kids and adults alike. It’s quick to prepare and can be customized to suit your taste preferences, making it a versatile addition to any meal. Whether served as a side or a main dish, this pasta salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings the fiesta right to your table!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 ounces ditalini pasta
  • 4 medium ears of corn
  • 4 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup Mexican crema (or sour cream)
  • ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ¾ teaspoon fine salt (plus more to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (plus more for topping)
  • Chile lime seasoning (like Tajiín, for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and toss with olive oil.
  2. In a large pot, boil water and cook corn for about 5 minutes; cool and cut kernels off the cobs.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, mayonnaise, crema, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, corn kernels, cilantro, and cotija cheese; pour dressing over and mix well.
  5. Serve chilled or at room temperature; garnish with extra cilantro and cotija cheese if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: For added crunch, serve with tortilla chips or fresh veggies. Customize by adding jalapeños or bell peppers for extra flavor. Prepare in advance for enhanced taste but add crunchy toppings just before serving.