Description
This Spicy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish inspired by the popular elote. It’s a perfect side dish for barbecues or a light meal on its own.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (such as rotini or penne)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese or feta cheese
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta, corn kernels, cotija cheese, red onion, and pickled jalapeños (if using) to the bowl.
- Toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add more cayenne pepper or jalapeños.
- Cotija cheese is traditional for Mexican street corn, but feta cheese is a good substitute.
- You can grill the corn for an extra smoky flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Pasta Salad
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg