Street Corn Pasta Salad

Name: Street Corn Pasta Salad with Lime Dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Ingredients: 16 oz rotini pasta, cooked and cooled; 2 cups roasted corn kernels; 1 jalapeño, finely diced; 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced; 1/2 cup green onions, sliced; 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish; 1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled, plus more for garnish; 1 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1 lime, juiced and zested; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp granulated sugar; Paprika, for garnish

Street Corn Pasta Salad is a Mexican-inspired side that layers roasted corn, cotija cheese, and jalapeño in a tangy lime-sour cream dressing. Its bright, smoky flavors and make-ahead convenience make it ideal for summer gatherings.

🌍Mexican-inspired 🏷️Pasta salad 🏷️Street corn 🏷️Elote 🏷️Corn salad Summer salad

🏷️

🏷️Side dish

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TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

16 oz rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
2 cups roasted corn kernels
1 jalapeño, finely diced
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup green onions, sliced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish
1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled, plus more for garnish
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 lime, juiced and zested
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp granulated sugar
Paprika, for garnishoptional

16 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, roasted corn, diced jalapeño, diced red onion, sliced green onions, crumbled Cotija cheese, and chopped cilantro.
2
To make the dressing, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and sugar in a separate medium bowl.
3
Whisk the dressing ingredients until smooth and well combined.
4
Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture.
5
Stir everything together until the salad is evenly coated.
6
Garnish with additional Cotija cheese, cilantro, and a sprinkle of paprika before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cool the cooked pasta completely before combining with other ingredients to prevent the dressing from breaking and the salad from becoming mushy.
Toast the corn under the broiler or in a cast-iron skillet for deeper, smokier flavor that mimics street-cart char.
Zest the lime directly into the sour cream and mayonnaise mixture before juicing to capture all the aromatic oils and brighten the dressing.
Add the dressing just before serving; the pasta continues to absorb moisture as it sits, so taste and adjust the dressing consistency on the day of serving.

Substitutions

Rotini → Farfalle or penne (holds dressing equally well)
Sour cream and mayonnaise → Greek yogurt mixed with mayo (lighter, tangier version)
Cotija cheese → Queso fresco or feta (similar crumbly texture and salinity)
Fresh cilantro → Flat-leaf parsley (milder herbaceous note)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; add fresh cilantro garnish and a splash of lime juice just before serving to refresh flavor.

Common Questions

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes. Combine the pasta and vegetables up to 4 hours ahead, then add the dressing just before serving to prevent the pasta from absorbing too much liquid and becoming soggy.