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This Elote Pasta Salad takes everything you love about Mexican street corn—creamy, tangy, slightly spicy, and absolutely irresistible—and tosses it with tender pasta for the ultimate summer side dish! Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or just because you're craving that crave-worthy elote flavor in every single bite.
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Why You'll Love This Elote Pasta Salad Recipe
- 🌽 ALL THE FLAVORS OF MEXICAN STREET CORN IN EVERY BITE
Creamy, tangy, slightly spicy, and topped with that signature cotija cheese—this pasta salad captures EVERYTHING you adore about elote. No corn on the cob required (but yes, you still get that gorgeous grilled char)! - 🍴 THE ULTIMATE BBQ & POTLUCK SIDE DISH
This pasta salad is a ROCKSTAR at summer gatherings. It feeds a crowd, travels well, and always disappears first. Bring it to your next cookout and prepare to be asked for the recipe at least five times. - ⏱️ MAKE-AHEAD MAGIC (IT GETS BETTER!) LIKE MOST PASTA SALADS
The longer this sits in the fridge, the more the flavors meld together. Make it the night before your party, and thank yourself later. One less thing to stress about on game day!
In This Post
Elote Pasta Salad: The Creamy, Tangy, Addictive Side Dish Your BBQ Needs
Is it just me, or does anyone else turn into a produce-obsessed maniac as summer winds down?
Like, OMG OMG I must eat ALL the fresh corn and tomatoes for every single meal before they're gone! Yes, technically you can get them later in the year. But they are NEVER as good as they are right now.
Just ask Kevin. He would probably advise you to run the other way without looking back. But he's pretty used to my neurotic, quirky behavior by now. (Poor guy.)
This year, something magical happened.
We both became completely obsessed with grilled corn on the cob. I've always loved it this way, but Kevin hadn't jumped on board—until now. He used to prefer his corn slathered in butter, sprinkled with salt and pepper, wrapped in foil, and tossed on the grill. Don't get me wrong, that's some pretty ding dang tasty corn.
But something about just slappin' those bad boys NEKKID on the grill? Letting that char build up, caramelizing the natural sugars, adding that hint of smoke?
OhhhEmmmGeeee. I'm drooling just thinking about it.
Sigh. The hazards of being a food blogger.
Now, let's talk about elote.
Being from Southern California originally—San Diego specifically—I discovered elote (Mexican Street Corn) as a teenager. And believe you me, it was love at first sight. Errr, taste. Salty, creamy, sweet, tangy, with a little kick... ohhh myyyyy!
I can still remember buying it off a little cart and demolishing it before the man with a bell had a chance to walk away. "Uno mas por favor!!" came out of my mouth before I could even think about it. High school Spanish for the win!
So this year, after eating countless cobs of grilled corn, I had a lightbulb moment.
Why not combine my beloved elote with one of our favorite classic side dishes?
Yes. Why the heck not.
This Elote Pasta Salad is sweet, creamy, salty, and crunchy, with a hint of spice.
It's everything you love about Mexican street corn—cotija cheese, crema, chili powder, lime—tossed with tender pasta for the ultimate summer BBQ side dish. Kevin and I loved it so much that we actually arm wrestled over the last bowl.
No joke. Down and dirty.
I won.
Of course I cheated. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to get her grub on!
What are you waiting for? Grab that end-of-summer corn and get going. Your people will thank you. 😉🌽
🍽️✨ Don't forget to share your delightful creations with us on BlueSky using #BobbisKozyKitchen for a chance to be featured in our newsletter! 📸
🥘Ingredient Notes
Here, I explain the best ingredients for my Elote Pasta Salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For the exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
- 🌽 Fresh Corn on the Cob – The star! Grilling brings out that sweet, smoky char. Sub: 2 cans of corn, drained (but you'll miss that grilled magic!).
- 🫒 Avocado or Canola Oil – For brushing on corn before grilling. Sub: Any neutral oil (vegetable, grapeseed, or coconut oil work).
- 🍝 Rotini Pasta – Catches all that creamy dressing in its little spirals! Sub: Penne, bowties, or any short pasta.
- 🍅 Grape Tomatoes – Sweet, juicy bursts of flavor. Sub: Cherry tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes.
- 🫑 Red Bell Pepper – Sweet crunch and pretty color! Sub: Orange or yellow bell pepper.
- 🧅 Green Onions – Mild oniony bite without being overpowering. Sub: ¼ cup chopped chives.
- 🌶️ Jalapeños – Seeded and chopped = mild heat with flavor. Sub: Serrano (hotter!) or skip for no spice.
- 🧀 Cotija Cheese – The SALTY, crumbly Mexican cheese that MAKES elote! Sub: Feta or Parmesan (different but still delicious).
- 🌿 Fresh Cilantro – Bright, herbaceous pop. Sub: Flat-leaf parsley if you're a cilantro hater (no judgment... okay maybe a little).
- 🥫 Mayonnaise – Creamy base of the dressing. Sub: Vegan mayo or Mexican crema.
- 🥛 Non-Fat Greek Yogurt – Adds tang and creaminess with less guilt! Sub: Sour cream or more mayo.
- 🌶️ Red Chile Powder – For that signature elote kick! Sub: Ancho chile powder, paprika, or cayenne (adjust to taste).
- 🍋 Lime Juice – Fresh is non-negotiable! Sub: Bottled lime juice in a pinch (but fresh is SO much brighter).
The printable recipe card at the bottom of the page contains a detailed list of measurements and instructions.
Storing Your Elote Pasta Salad
✅ Airtight container – Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.
✅ The flavor bonus: This pasta salad actually gets BETTER the next day! The dressing soaks into the pasta, and all those delicious elote flavors meld together overnight. (I may or may not eat it cold straight from the fridge at 10 AM...)
✅ Pro tip: If the pasta absorbs too much dressing overnight, just stir in a splash of lime juice or a dollop of Greek yogurt before serving to freshen it up.
Can you freeze elote pasta salad?
Not recommended. The creamy dressing will separate, and the texture of the pasta and vegetables will become mushy when thawed. This one is BEST enjoyed fresh or within a few days in the fridge.
⏰ MAKE-AHEAD MAGIC
This is where this recipe SHINES!
- Make it the night before – Prep everything, mix it up, and let it hang out in the fridge overnight. The flavors get even better, and you'll have ONE LESS thing to do on party day.
- Dressing on the side option – If you're worried about the pasta getting too soft, mix the dressing separately and toss it together an hour before serving.
💡 PRO TIP:
"This pasta salad is a DREAM for potlucks and BBQs because it travels beautifully. Just keep it chilled until serving, and don't leave it out in the sun for more than 2 hours!"
💭My Recipe Tips
🔥 GRILLING LIKE A PRO
- "Don't skip the char!" – Those blackened kernels are FLAVOR. Let the corn get good and smoky.
- "Oil the corn, not the grill" – Brush oil directly onto the cobs before grilling for even cooking.
🍝 PASTA PERFECTION
- "Salt that water!" – Like the ocean. It's the only chance to season the pasta from the inside.
- "Don't overcook" – Al dente only! Mushy pasta = sad pasta salad.
🧀 COTIJA KNOW-HOW
- "Sprinkle twice" – Mix most of the cheese into the salad, then save some for the top. It's prettier AND tastier.
- "Can't find cotija?" – Feta or Parmesan work in a pinch (but cotija is worth the hunt!).
🌶️ FLAVOR BOOSTS
- "Make it spicier" – Leave jalapeño seeds in or add extra red chile powder.
- "Make it milder" – Skip the jalapeño altogether and use paprika instead of red chile powder.
- "Fresh lime is NON-NEGOTIABLE" – Bottled juice just doesn't hit the same.
⏰ TIME-SAVERS
- "Grill corn ahead" – Cook and cut kernels off the cob up to 2 days in advance.
- "Make night before" – This salad legitimately tastes better the next day. Party prep for the win!
FAQ about Elote Pasta Salad
You can, but you'll miss that smoky grilled flavor! If using frozen, thaw and pat dry. If using canned, drain well. For best results, still try to char them in a hot dry skillet!
Either works great! It's delicious cold straight from the fridge OR at room temperature. Just don't serve it hot—the creamy dressing won't be happy.
Up to 4 days in an airtight container. And honestly? It tastes even BETTER on day two when all those flavors meld together!
🍽️Serving Suggestions
More Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes...
- Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad
- Mediterranian Pasta Salad
- Spicy Peanut Cucumber Noodle Salad
- Keto Asian Rainbow Noodle Salad
Elote Pasta Salad (Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad)
Equipment
- grill tongs
Ingredients
- 4 ear of corn on the cob
- 1 tablespoon avocado or canola oil
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 bunch green onions chopped
- 2 jalapenos ribs and seeds removed and chopped
- 1 cup Cotija cheese grated plus extra for sprinkling
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- Red chile powder to taste I used 2 teaspoons
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Heat outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush corn with vegetable oil.
- Grill, turning frequently, until slightly charred on all sides. Allow to cool.
- Cut the corn kernels from the cob.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions. Drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tomato, bell pepper, green onions, jalapeno, cilantro, corn, and cheese.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chile powder, and lime juice.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir to combine.
- Spoon into serving dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Disclaimer
Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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