Imagine al dente pasta tossed with charred sweet corn, creamy cotija cheese, and a chipotle-lime dressing that’s tangy, smoky, and just a little spicy—this is elote meets pasta salad, perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or summer picnics!
Perfect for:
• Backyard cookouts & pool parties
• Meal prep (flavors get better overnight!)
• When you want a showstopper side with minimal effort
🌟 Why This Pasta Salad Steals the Show
✅ All the flavors of Mexican street corn – In easy-to-serve pasta form!
✅ Creamy + crunchy + smoky – The ultimate texture combo
✅ No mayo – Uses Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangy twist
✅ Crowd-pleasing – Vegetarian-friendly (add grilled chicken for protein!)
đź“ť Ingredients (Bold & Fresh!)
🍝 For the Salad:
- 12 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 4 ears corn, grilled & kernels cut off (or 3 cups frozen/thawed corn)
- 1 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (sub feta if needed)
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded & minced (optional for heat)
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
🥣 For the Dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp chipotle in adobo, minced (adjust for spice!)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- ½ tsp cumin
- Salt & pepper to taste
🔎 Pro Tip: Char corn in a dry skillet for extra smoky flavor!
