This easy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a flavorful twist on classic street corn (elote), combining creamy dressing, sautéed corn, tender pasta, zesty lime, and salty cotija cheese. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or a quick weeknight meal!
Author:Jessica Parker
Ingredients
Scale
16 oz corn (frozen, canned, or fresh)
2 tbsp butter
8 oz dried pasta (rotini, penne, or farfalle)
¼ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt/cottage cheese)
3 tbsp mayonnaise (adjust to taste)
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup cotija cheese, grated (plus extra for topping)
¼ cup red onion or shallot, finely diced
1 lime (juiced)
½ tsp chipotle powder
¼ tsp cumin
2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
¼ tsp salt
Optional:
1 small jalapeño, seeded & finely diced (or canned poblano peppers for mild heat)
Notes
Pasta Choice: Use short pasta like rotini, penne, or farfalle for the best texture.
Corn Options: Fresh, frozen, or canned corn all work—just make sure to sauté it for extra flavor.
Spice Level: Adjust the chipotle powder and jalapeño to taste for more or less heat.
Make Ahead: This salad tastes even better after chilling for an hour, allowing flavors to meld.