Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Here’s a fiery twist on two classics with this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad! Imagine all the smoky, creamy flavors of elote (Mexican street corn) transformed into a hearty, crowd-pleasing pasta salad. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or a flavorful side dish.

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins | Chill Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 1 hour 25 mins
Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 12 oz (340g) short pasta (elbow, rotini, or penne)

• 4 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (charred if possible)

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed & drained

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• ½ cup red onion, finely diced

• ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta)

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1 jalapeño, seeded & minced (optional)

• 1 avocado, diced (add just before serving)

For the Dressing:

• ½ cup mayonnaise (or Mexican crema)

• ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

• 2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp cumin

• Salt & pepper to taste

For Garnish:

• Extra cotija cheese

• Tajín seasoning or extra chili powder

• Lime wedges

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta & Char the Corn

• Cook pasta al dente, drain, and rinse under cold water.

• If using fresh/frozen corn: Heat a dry skillet over high heat. Add corn and cook 5-7 mins until slightly charred. Let cool.

2. Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

3. Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, combine pasta, corn, black beans, tomatoes, red onion, cotija, cilantro, and jalapeño.

• Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat.

• Refrigerate 1 hour (or up to 4 hours) to let flavors meld.

4. Serve

• Just before serving, fold in diced avocado.

• Garnish with extra cotija, Tajín, and lime wedges.

Tips & Variations

🔥 Spicy Upgrade: Add chipotle peppers in adobo to the dressing.
🌱 Vegan Option: Use vegan mayo, dairy-free yogurt, and omit cheese (or use vegan cotija).
🍗 Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a main-dish salad.
🌽 Grilled Corn: For extra smoky flavor, grill corn on the cob before cutting off kernels.

This salad is creamy, tangy, smoky, and packed with texture—guaranteed to be the star of any summer spread! 🌮🌿😋