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Creamy Street Corn Elote Pasta Salad

creamy street corn elote pasta salad - featured image
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A creamy and tangy pasta salad featuring smoky charred corn, spicy Tajin seasoning, and crumbly Cotija cheese, perfect for summer parties and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
  • 3 ears fresh corn, husked and kernels removed (about 2 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Juice of 1 large lime (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon Tajin seasoning
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 stalks green onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain well in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kernels from 3 ears of fresh corn (about 2 cups). Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until kernels start to develop a light char and smoky aroma. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons), 1 tablespoon Tajin seasoning, and 1 minced garlic clove. Stir until smooth and creamy. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. Add the cooled pasta and charred corn kernels to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  5. Fold in 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, 2 thinly sliced green onions, and 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese. Give everything one last gentle toss.
  6. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or Tajin if desired. If you want extra tang, a squeeze more lime juice works wonders.
  7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld beautifully.
  8. Give the salad a final stir before serving. Optionally, sprinkle a little extra Cotija and Tajin on top for garnish.

Notes

For best flavor, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Use frozen corn if fresh is unavailable, thaw and sauté before mixing. To make vegan, substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with plant-based alternatives and Cotija cheese with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast. Adding a splash of honey can balance corn sweetness if needed. Avoid adding cheese while pasta is warm to maintain crumbly texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, street corn, elote, Tajin, Cotija cheese, summer recipe, creamy pasta salad, easy pasta salad, party side dish

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/creamy-street-corn-elote-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-and-best-for-summer-parties/