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Overhead view of round bowl of pasta salad with macaroni, corn, red peppers, cotija, and cilantro.
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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

All the authentic flavors of elote are combined in this great tasting Mexican street corn pasta salad: grilled corn, mayonnaise, chili powder, and cotija cheese.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 320kcal
Author Rachel Gurk

Ingredients

Salad

  • 8 oz. uncooked pasta (rotini, macaroni, farfalle, etc.)
  • 6 ears fresh corn, husked and rinsed (4 cups frozen or canned corn)
  • 1 cup finely diced red bell pepper (about 1 pepper)
  • ½ cup finely chopped green onions (about ½ bunch )
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup finely diced jalapeño pepper, seeds and membranes removed (about 1 large pepper)
  • 8 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
  • ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese

Dressing

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce, more to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a grill pan or a grill to medium. Add corn and cook, turning occasionally until slightly charred. Let cool slightly before cutting off the kernels. Place kernels in a large bowl.
  • Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse well with cold water, tossing to make sure it is all cooled. 
  • Add pasta to corn, along with bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, cooked bacon, and crumbled cotija.
  • In a measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over pasta and vegetable mixture and stir to combine.
  • Serve or immediately or refrigerate for up to three days. Makes 10 cups.

Video

Notes

  • Make the salad vegetarian by simply leaving out the bacon. Or make this salad a main dish by stirring in shredded or rotisserie chicken, pinto beans, or another protein of your choice.
  • Try adding chopped tomatoes, green pepper, or sweet onions.
  • If you can't find cotija cheese, substitute shredded Parmesan, cheddar, or a Mexican cheese blend.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 534mg | Potassium: 314mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 841IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg