Elote Pasta Salad

Name: Elote Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni; 2 cups corn kernels; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled; 2 tbsp lime juice; 1 tsp chili powder; 2 tbsp jalapeno pepper, minced; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 tsp Tajin seasoning (optional garnish); 1/2 tsp salt

Charred corn, tangy lime, crumbled Cotija, and a kick of chili and jalapeno tossed with pasta in a creamy street-corn dressing; the elote-inspired pasta salad that swept TikTok in May 2026.

35 minEasyServes 6470 cal/serving

MexicanSaladStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyPork-FreeAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

1 lb elbow macaroni
2 cups corn kernels
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp chili powder
2 tbsp jalapeno pepper, minced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tsp Tajin seasoning (optional garnish)
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 1 lb elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water.
2

Meanwhile, heat a large dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 2 cups corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until charred in spots, about 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool slightly.
3

In a large bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth.
4

Add the drained pasta, charred corn, 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese, 2 tbsp minced jalapeno pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro to the dressing and toss to coat evenly.
5

Sprinkle with extra Cotija, chili powder, and 1 tsp Tajin seasoning (optional garnish) if using. Serve right away or chill until ready to eat.

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Questions

What can I use instead of cotija in Elote Pasta Salad?

The entry for Elote Pasta Salad calls for 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled. In its place: Feta or ricotta salata, crumbled. Rinse the feta briefly if it is very salty.

Is Elote Pasta Salad spicy?

Moderately. The heat in Elote Pasta Salad comes from 1 tsp chili powder and 2 tbsp jalapeno pepper, minced. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeno, or use half; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Elote Pasta Salad dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Elote Pasta Salad is 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled. Swap the sour cream for thick coconut yogurt with a squeeze of lemon; the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Elote Pasta Salad gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Elote Pasta Salad is 1 lb elbow macaroni. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Elote Pasta Salad contain eggs?

Yes: 1/2 cup mayonnaise. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How many calories are in Elote Pasta Salad?

One serving (the recipe makes 6) is about 470 calories, with 12 g protein, 52 g carbohydrate and 14 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 520 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Serve it with

Cochinita Pibil main
Pozole Soup main
Pressure Cooker Chicken Tortilla Stew soup

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