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Flavorful Street Corn Elote Pasta Salad with Cotija Lime Crema

street corn elote pasta salad - featured image
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A vibrant, tangy, and addictive pasta salad featuring smoky grilled corn, creamy cotija lime crema, and tender pasta, perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (about 225 grams) rotini or elbow macaroni pasta
  • 3 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 4 ears), grilled or roasted
  • ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • Juice and zest of 2 limes
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush corn ears with 1 tablespoon olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides (about 8 minutes). Let cool slightly, then cut kernels off the cob. If using frozen corn, roast in a 425°F (220°C) oven for 10-12 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, juice and zest of 2 limes, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Add finely chopped jalapeño if desired.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta and grilled corn kernels. Pour cotija lime crema over and toss gently to coat evenly. Add ¼ cup chopped cilantro and fold in ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese. Reserve some cheese for garnish.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, stir gently and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent sticking and cool quickly. Grill corn patiently to get smoky char without burning. Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor melding. For dairy-free, substitute cotija with firm tofu and use vegan mayo and yogurt. Frozen corn can be used but grilling fresh corn gives best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, street corn, elote, cotija cheese, lime crema, summer salad, grilled corn, easy pasta salad, picnic recipe

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/flavorful-street-corn-elote-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-perfect-for-summer/