This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a loaded pasta salad that is full of roasted corn, bacon, avocado, and cilantro all covered in a creamy dressing. It’s inspired by the flavors of Elote, and will be your new favorite pasta salad to make this spring and summer!
If you’re a fan of pasta salads, as much as I am, then you definitely have to try this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad! It’s like a cup of Esquites tossed with pasta, and bacon, and avocado, because who can say no to those flavors all combined together?! If you love pasta salads as much as I do, you should try our Caprese Pasta Salad, Caesar Pasta Salad, or Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe.
Why You’ll Love this
- Street Corn Vibes: This pasta salad has all the creamy and tangy and fresh flavors of Mexican Elote all mixed up into a tasty pasta salad!
- Perfect for a Crowd: This is a great dish for BBQs, potlucks, or big family dinners. It makes a big bowlful that is perfect for serving as a lighter lunch, or a side with some grilled meat favorites, like burgers, or ribs.
- Great to Make Ahead: The pasta tastes even better after sitting in the fridge! Perfect for making the night before, or the morning of the event. (Just save a little of the dressing to add right before serving).
Ingredients Needed
This is a quick overview of some of the ingredients you’ll need for this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Pasta: Any small or medium pasta will work best. I like Rotini, Bow Tie (Farfalle), or Small Shells because they hold the dressing nicely.
- Corn: You can use fresh, canned, or frozen corn for this recipe.
- Avocado: This is optional, but I love the extra creaminess it adds to the pasta salad.
- Cilantro: Adds such a fresh, bright flavor. Its traditional for Mexican Street Corn, but if you’re not a fan you can use diced green onions instead.
- Jalapeno: Remove the seeds and dice it up to add a little heat to the pasta.
- Bacon: This is optional, but adds a little extra salty flavor, and crunch to the pasta salad!
- Cotija: This adds a nice salty flavor. If you can’t find it you can sub Queso Fresco, Feta, or Parmesan.
- Mayo: This makes the dressing nice and creamy, I like mixing it with Crema or Sour Cream, but you can use all Mayonnaise too.
- Chili Powder: Adds a little flavor and light heat.
- Lime: Adds a little extra fresh flavor and acidity.
How to make Elote Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Bring a large pot of water to boil, add the uncooked pasta and cook according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water. Let it sit until its dry.
Step 2: Prepare the Corn. You can grill corn on the cob by cooking it about 12 minutes on the grill. Let it cool, then cut it off the cob. Or you can toast the canned or frozen corn in a skillet at medium heat until it is warm.
Step 3: Make the Dressing. In a medium bowl, mix together the mayo, sour cream, salt, chili powder, garlic, and lime juice. Whisk it all together until smooth. Chill until you’re ready to serve the salad.
Step 4: Assemble. Combine the pasta, corn, diced avocado, bacon, jalapeno, cotija, and cilantro. Add the creamy dressing and toss it all together, and serve immediately!
Tips and Tricks:
- Add More Protein: Add 1 to 2 cups of grilled chicken, or Black Beans for a little extra flavor and to make the pasta salad a little more filling!
- Adjust the Spice Level: You can add extra heat by adding more jalapenos, or adding a little cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can lower the heat by only using half a jalapeno or skipping it all together.
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
The pasta salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. The pasta will soak in the dressing as it sits, so if you plan on making it ahead of time, or having leftovers I recommend making extra dressing, or saving more to add on.
If you’re planning on making it ahead of an event store the ingredients separately, store the pasta, separately from the other mix ins, and the dressing separately too. When you’re ready to serve it toss it all together and enjoy!
This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is such a good pasta salad to add to your rotation. You’ll love it for all your potlucks and barbecues this spring and summer!
More Potluck Favorites
- Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Slow Cooker Baked Beans
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Frog Eye Salad
- Creamy Broccoli Salad
- Southwest Pasta Salad
If you make this Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe please leave a comment and 🌟 rating letting me know what you think! If you post the photo on Instagram, please tag me – I’d love to see what you’re making!
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 6 TBS Mayonnaise
- 2 TBS Sour Cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 lime, juiced
For the Pasta Salad:
- 8 oz Small Pasta Noodles
- 3 cups Corn Kernels
- 8 oz Thick Cut Bacon (Cooked and Chopped)
- 1 Large Avocado (Diced)
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese (Crumbled)
- 1/4 Cup cilantro (Diced)
- 1 Medium jalapeno (Minced)
Instructions
For the Dressing:
- Combine the Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, Salt, Garlic, Chili Powder, and Lime Juice and whisk it all together until smooth. Cover it and put it in the fridge until needed. 6 TBS Mayonnaise, 2 TBS Sour Cream , 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1 lime, juiced
For the Pasta Salad:
- Cook the pasta noodles in a large pot of water according to their package directions, until cooked al dente. Drain the water out, and rinse the noodles in cold water. Let the pasta sit until dry. 8 oz Small Pasta Noodles
- Add the corn to a skillet and heat it over medium heat until its warmed and a little charred. Set aside. 3 cups Corn Kernels
- Add the pasta, corn, bacon, avocado, cotija, jalapeno, and cilantro to a large bowl. 8 oz Thick Cut Bacon, 1 Large Avocado, 1/2 cup cotija cheese, 1 Medium jalapeno, 1/4 Cup cilantro
- Add the dressing on top and toss it all together. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Add More Protein: Add 1 to 2 cups of grilled chicken, or Black Beans for a little extra flavor and to make the pasta salad a little more filling!
- Adjust the Spice Level: You can add extra heat by adding more jalapenos, or adding a little cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can lower the heat by only using half a jalapeno or skipping it all together.
Leave a Reply