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.
Servings 10 cups
Calories 363kcal
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.
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
Serving: 1generous cup | Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 682mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g