Elote Corn Pasta with Cotija (Printable)

Creamy corn pasta tossed with lime, smoked spices, and Cotija for a vibrant summer dish.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces short pasta such as rotini or penne
02 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt for boiling water

→ Vegetables

03 - 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels, approximately 4 ears if using fresh
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 0.5 small red onion, finely diced
06 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
07 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Dressing

08 - 0.33 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - zest of 1 lime
15 - juice of 1 lime
16 - 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
17 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Finishing

18 - 3 ounces Cotija cheese, crumbled
19 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (optional)
20 - extra lime wedges, for serving

# How To Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside to cool.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook dry for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred. Transfer corn to a large mixing bowl.
03 - Add diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, cilantro, and sliced green onions to the bowl with charred corn.
04 - In a separate small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, lime zest, lime juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
05 - Add cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture. Pour dressing over and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
06 - Fold in crumbled Cotija cheese and diced jalapeño, if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
07 - Present chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get all the elote flavors plus creamy pasta in one bowl, with every bite delivering crunch and tang.
  • It's a crowd-pleaser that stirs up curiosity and excitement at picnics and potlucks.
02 -
  • If the corn isn't dry before cooking, it won't char—make sure to pat it dry or it will steam instead of brown.
  • Letting the salad rest for at least 30 minutes in the fridge deepens the flavor and prevents dryness.
03 -
  • Always char corn in a dry skillet or on the grill for maximum sweet-smoky flavor—never rush, let it linger a bit.
  • Reserve a portion of Cotija cheese to sprinkle over the top for the sharpest, brightest finish at the table.
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