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Flavorful Elote-Style Street Corn Pasta Salad

elote-style street corn pasta salad - featured image
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A creamy, smoky, and tangy pasta salad inspired by Mexican street corn, combining roasted corn, rotini pasta, and a zesty creamy sauce for a quick and crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (about 450 g)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) full-fat mayonnaise
  • ¾ cup (90 g) cotija cheese, crumbled
  • Juice of 1 large lime (about 2 tablespoons or 30 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) chili powder
  • ¼ cup (10 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: jalapeño slices, diced avocado, splash of hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups of fresh or thawed corn kernels (about 450 g), spreading them out in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden and slightly charred, then stir occasionally for another 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise, ¾ cup (90 g) crumbled cotija cheese, juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons or 30 ml), 1 teaspoon (2 g) garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon (2 g) chili powder until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  4. Add the roasted corn, 2 thinly sliced green onions, and ¼ cup (10 g) chopped fresh cilantro to the bowl with pasta. Pour the creamy sauce over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every bit with flavor.
  5. Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Before serving, give it a quick stir and taste for seasoning—add more lime or chili powder if desired.

Notes

Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent sticking and keep salad refreshing. Roast corn until slightly charred for authentic smoky flavor. Chill salad for at least 20 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Adjust lime juice and chili powder to taste. For vegan version, use vegan mayo and dairy-free cheese substitutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: elote, street corn, pasta salad, creamy, smoky, summer, easy recipe, rotini pasta, cotija cheese, Mexican flavors

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/flavorful-elote-style-street-corn-pasta-salad-best-easy-creamy-recipe/