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Elote Pasta Salad

Creamy Elote Pasta Salad You’ll Love This Summer

Enjoy a delightful Elote Pasta Salad, a creamy fusion of pasta and zesty flavors perfect for summer gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz Pasta (elbow, rotini, or bowtie)
  • 2 cobs Corn (grilled) Can substitute with canned corn
  • 1 medium Red Onion Finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Cilantro Chopped
  • 1 cup Cotija Cheese Crumbled; can substitute with feta or omit
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise Can mix with Greek yogurt for lighter dressing
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream Plain Greek yogurt is a substitute
  • 1 each Lime Juice & Zest Fresh is essential
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika Optional
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 tsp Salt Adjust to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper Adjust to taste
  • 1 each Jalapeño Diced, optional
  • 1 cup Protein Add-ins (optional) Grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans
  • 2 each Green Onions Sliced for garnish

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing bowl
  • Grill

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8 to 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Prepare the Corn: Grill corn for about 10 minutes, turning until charred. If fresh, cool and cut kernels off; if canned, drain well.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and zest until creamy. Add chili powder, garlic, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine pasta, corn, red onion, cilantro, and cheese. Toss gently. Drizzle dressing over and mix thoroughly.
  5. Chill (Optional): Cover salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. You can skip this step if short on time.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Toss the salad again and garnish with extra cheese, cilantro, lime wedges, and chili powder before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 10gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This salad captures the essence of summer with its vibrant flavors and creamy texture, perfect for gatherings and potlucks.

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