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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

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This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad captures the iconic smoky, creamy, and tangy flavors of elote in a shareable, make-ahead dish perfect for potlucks and barbecues. After extensive testing, I’ve perfected a version that balances the charred sweetness of corn with a zesty, chipotle-lime crema, ensuring every bite is as vibrant as the street food that inspired it.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound short pasta (like fusilli or rotini)
  • 4 ears fresh corn, husked (or 3 cups frozen corn, thawed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (or Mexican crema)
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta)
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder, plus more for garnish
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook and Cool the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Unlike overcooking, which leads to a mushy salad, al dente pasta retains a pleasant chew and holds the dressing better. Drain the pasta, rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking, and let it drain thoroughly in a colander.
  2. Char the Corn: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until they develop dark, caramelized spots. This charring process, a key technique for authentic street corn flavor, unlocks a smoky sweetness that boiling cannot achieve. (Pro tip: Don't stir too often to allow proper browning).
  3. Prepare the Chipotle-Lime Crema: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lime juice, and chipotle chili powder. In my tests, whisking for a full minute creates a smoother, more emulsified base that coats every ingredient evenly. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
  4. Combine the Main Components: Add the cooled pasta and charred corn to the bowl with the crema. Using a large spatula, gently fold everything together until the pasta and corn are fully coated. Experts recommend folding rather than stirring vigorously to prevent breaking the pasta and to keep the corn kernels intact.
  5. Add Cheese and Herbs: Fold in the crumbled cotija cheese and most of the chopped cilantro, reserving a small handful for garnish. The salty, briny cotija is essential for authenticity; as of 2024, it's widely available in most major grocery stores. (Pro tip: If using feta, crumble it finely for better distribution).
  6. Chill and Garnish Before Serving: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and let the Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the pasta to absorb the dressing. Just before serving, give it a final stir, transfer to a serving dish, and garnish with the remaining cilantro and an extra sprinkle of chipotle powder.

Find it online: https://thecookingjournal.com/mexican-street-corn-pasta-salad-2/

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