This Elote-Style Pasta Salad brings together the smoky, creamy flavors of Mexican street corn with pasta, cotija cheese, lime, and a spiced dressing. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or weekly meal prep.
If you’re looking for a summer side dish that brings both flavor and fun to the table, this Elote-Style Pasta Salad checks every box. Inspired by the iconic flavors of Mexican street corn, this pasta salad is smoky, creamy, tangy, and just a little spicy. It’s a guaranteed hit at any backyard BBQ, picnic, or family cookout, and the leftovers are even better the next day.
At its core, Elote-Style Pasta Salad combines two favorites: pasta salad and elote. Elote is traditionally made with grilled corn slathered in mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime. It’s messy, delicious, and addictive. This version takes all those bold, crave-worthy flavors and tosses them with al dente pasta to create a creamy, satisfying dish that’s easy to prep ahead and share.
What’s in Elote-Style Pasta Salad?
This pasta salad starts with cooked pasta. Add in sweet corn (fresh or frozen), crumbled cotija cheese, chopped red onion, fresh cilantro, and a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic and chili powder. The dressing coats every bite, and the balance of smoky, zesty, and savory notes is so good.
You can roast your corn on the grill or sauté it in a skillet until lightly browned. If you’re short on time, canned corn will work in a pinch, but that char adds a special depth that takes the salad over the top. The cotija cheese brings a salty punch, and the lime juice keeps everything bright and fresh.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big flavor payoff: It’s creamy, tangy, and smoky with just the right amount of heat
- Make-ahead friendly: This pasta salad holds up well in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep or next-day leftovers
- Versatile: Serve it cold or at room temp. It pairs well with grilled meats, tacos, or even as a stand-alone vegetarian dish
- Unexpected and fun: It’s a conversation starter. People always ask for the recipe
Whether you’re hosting friends or just making lunch for the week, Elote-Style Pasta Salad is one of those dishes that makes it feel like summer in every bite. It’s bright, creamy, and satisfying without being too heavy.
Elote-Style Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 12 oz rotini pasta cooked and cooled
- 1 cup sweet corn fresh, canned, or frozen and charred in a skillet
- ½ cup finely diced red onion
- ¼ cup chopped green onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¾ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1 to 1½ cups chopped store-bought fried chicken tenders optional but highly recommended
For the dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 garlic clove finely grated or minced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Tajín plus extra for garnish if you like
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Tips for the Perfect Elote-Style Pasta Salad
- Don’t overcook your pasta. Slightly al dente gives the best texture
- Let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can meld
- Add more lime juice just before serving to freshen it up plus some tajin for extra flavor
- Want a little more crunch? Toss in diced jalapeños or thin-sliced radishes
Elote-Style Pasta Salad is proof that a simple recipe can still surprise and delight. It’s easy, it’s delicious, and it deserves a spot in your summer recipe rotation.
