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Creamy Abuelas Elote Pasta Salad

creamy abuelas elote pasta salad - featured image
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A creamy, smoky, and tangy pasta salad inspired by Mexican street corn, perfect as a refreshing summer side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears) or frozen thawed corn
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1 small jalapeño, deseeded and finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups fresh corn kernels (or thawed frozen corn) and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kernels are golden brown and slightly charred, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Mexican crema or sour cream, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Add the cooked pasta and charred corn to the bowl with the dressing. Mix gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  5. Fold in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 small finely chopped jalapeño, and 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese. Stir just until combined.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, give it a final gentle stir and taste for seasoning adjustments.

Notes

If the salad seems thick after chilling, add a splash of milk or lime juice to loosen it. Serving at room temperature works well if you forget to chill. For a vegan version, swap mayo and crema for vegan alternatives and omit cotija cheese. Avoid overcooking pasta to maintain texture. Dry frozen corn well before charring for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: elote pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, Mexican street corn salad, summer side dish, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/creamy-abuelas-elote-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-perfect-summer-side-dish/