You know that irresistible smell of grilled corn wafting from a summer street fair? Yeah—this pasta salad captures that magic. This Elote Pasta Salad brings all the bold, creamy, spicy goodness of Mexican street corn and tosses it with tender pasta, a tangy Greek yogurt dressing, and fresh herbs. It’s the kind of side dish that steals the spotlight.
And guess what? It’s high in protein, fiber-rich, gluten-free (if you want it to be), and totally customizable. You can prep it ahead of time, eat it cold or warm, and make it vegan if that’s your thing.
Try this authentic Mexican Street Corn Salad for a lighter alternative.
Table of contents
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
This dish is super forgiving and easy to riff on. Here’s what you’ll need and what you can swap if your fridge is being moody.
Salad Base
- Chickpea Pasta (like Banza)
→ High in protein and fiber. Gluten-free and holds up well in dressing.
Cooking with chickpea pasta? It’s easy—just don’t overcook. - Roasted Corn
→ Fresh, grilled, or frozen roasted corn all work.
Want max flavor? Go for grilled. - Red Onion & Jalapeño
→ Adds crunch and heat. Want it milder? Remove the seeds. - Fresh Cilantro
→ Don’t like cilantro? Use parsley or scallions instead. - Cotija Cheese
→ Can’t find cotija? Feta, queso fresco, or even parmesan will work.
Or check out this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe.
Creamy Dressing
- Plain Greek Yogurt
→ Tangy, creamy, and packed with protein and probiotics. - Olive Oil Mayo
→ Or use avocado oil mayo, plant-based versions, or sour cream. - Fresh Lime Juice + Zest
→ Brightens everything up. Don’t skip it. - Spices
→ Chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder.
How to Make Elote Pasta Salad
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 10
Here’s how we bring it all together:
- Cook the Pasta
Bring salted water to a boil. Cook chickpea pasta to al dente (not mushy). Drain and rinse under cold water. - Cool the Pasta Like a Pro
Toss with a bit of olive oil and spread it out on a baking sheet. It won’t stick this way—trust me. - Roast the Corn
Grill or broil until charred. If using frozen corn, toss it in a hot skillet until browned. - Mix the Dressing
In a large bowl:- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayo
- Juice + zest of 2 limes
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Whisk until smooth.
- Assemble the Salad
Combine pasta, corn, diced red onion, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro. Pour in the dressing and toss. - Top & Chill
Crumble cotija cheese on top. Chill for 15–20 minutes before serving to let flavors blend.
Pro Tip: Use grooved pasta shapes like rotini or shells. They catch every bit of dressing.
Print
Elote Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Elote Pasta Salad captures all the creamy, spicy magic of Mexican street corn, tossed with chickpea pasta and a zesty Greek yogurt dressing. Perfect for meal prep and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- 12 oz chickpea pasta (rotini or shells)
- 2 cups roasted corn
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup olive oil mayo
- Juice + zest of 2 limes
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño, minced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese
Instructions
Notes
For best results, grill the corn and use pasta shapes with grooves to hold onto the creamy dressing.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiled & Grilled
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 175 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Variations & Add-Ins
This salad is a blank canvas with flavor already baked in. Try these if you’re feeling fancy:
- Spicy: Add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Deluxe: Black beans, diced cherry tomatoes, or avocado chunks.
- High-Protein: Add grilled chicken or shrimp.
Check out this Mexican Street Corn Chicken Bowl for inspiration. - Vegan: Use plant-based yogurt, mayo, and cheese alternatives.
Storage Tips
This is one of those rare salads that gets better after chilling.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Keeps fresh for 3 to 4 days.
- For the freshest flavor, stir in the cilantro and cheese just before serving.
Expert Advice
- Don’t skip the lime zest. It gives a real punch of flavor.
- Grill your corn if you can—it makes a big difference.
- Want it lighter? Swap mayo for more Greek yogurt or use low-fat versions.
- Cheese tip: Cotija stays crumbly, feta gets creamy. Pick your texture!
Dietitian’s Note
Let’s nerd out for a sec (in a delicious way):
- Greek yogurt gives you probiotics, protein, and calcium.
- Using chickpea pasta adds fiber, plant protein, and helps keep blood sugar stable.
- Lower in saturated fat than typical mayo-heavy salads.
- Naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, and gut-friendly.
This recipe is officially dietitian-approved.
FAQs
It’s a creamy, tangy pasta salad inspired by Mexican street corn—aka Elote. Think roasted corn, bold spices, and crumbly cheese tossed with pasta.
Yes! It’s high in protein and fiber, low in saturated fat, and customizable for your diet.
Absolutely. Thaw and roast in a skillet or oven for that charred flavor.
If you use gluten-free pasta (like chickpea or lentil), yep.
Use parsley or sliced green onions. No judgment here.
Hot pasta absorbs too much dressing. Let it cool so it stays creamy—not dry.
Related Recipes
Looking for more salads that hit that perfect balance of flavor and freshness?
- “Try this authentic Mexican Street Corn Salad for a lighter alternative.”
- “Compare our version with this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe.”
- “If you like sweet-savory contrasts, you might also enjoy this Broccoli Raisin Salad.”
- “Pair your salad with this comforting Shrimp and Creamed Corn dish.”
Perfect Pairings
What goes well with Elote Pasta Salad? A lot, honestly.
- Grilled chicken or steak
- Crispy tortilla chips and black bean corn dip
- A chilled avocado smoothie
- Hot honey shrimp (SO good!)
“Pair your salad with this comforting Shrimp and Creamed Corn dish.”
Nutrition Education
Want to geek out on the health benefits?
- Greek Yogurt vs. Mayo → Learn which is better for gut health
- Why Fiber Matters → Hint: it’s not just for digestion
- How Plant Protein Fuels Your Day → Chickpeas for the win!
Keep an eye out—we’re working on quick reads and guides to make your meals healthier and happier.
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