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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad with a wooden spoon in a white bowl.
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Creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

A bold and creamy pasta salad inspired by classic elote! Packed with sweet corn, zesty lime, fresh jalapeño, and tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing, this side dish will steal the show.
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 425kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Pasta
  • 2 cups Corn
  • 1 Jalapeno
  • ¼ cup Diced Red Onion
  • ½ cup Diced Red Bell Pepper
  • cup Crumbled Cotija Cheese
  • ¼ cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro

For the Dressing

  • ¼ cup Sour Cream
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 ½ Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down quickly.
    8 ounces Pasta
  • Char the corn (optional). If using fresh or thawed frozen corn, sauté it in a hot skillet or grill it for a few minutes until lightly charred. Let cool.
    2 cups Corn
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, jalapeño, red onion, crumbed cotija and cilantro.
    1 Jalapeno, ¼ cup Diced Red Onion, ½ cup Diced Red Bell Pepper, ¼ cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro, ⅓ cup Crumbled Cotija Cheese
  • In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour the dressing over the top of the pasta and vegetables. Mix well.
    ¼ cup Sour Cream, 1 cup Mayonnaise, 1 ½ Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice, 1 Tablespoon Sugar, 1 teaspoon Chili Powder, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ teaspoon Cumin, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Notes

Storage

  • Refrigerator: Store leftover pasta in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Not recommended.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Protein boost: Fold in grilled shrimp, diced chicken, or crumbled bacon.
  • Dairy free: Use vegan mayo and skip the cotija. Add extra lime juice for zing.
  • Low carb: Swap the pasta for chilled zucchini noodles.
  • Extra veggies: Cherry tomatoes, black beans, or diced bell pepper fit right in.
Did You Try This Recipe? Let me know!Mention @cookingupmemories and tag #cookingupmemories!

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 406mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 512IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 3mg
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