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Flavorful Elote Pasta Salad Recipe with Easy Chipotle Mayo Dressing

Flavorful Elote Pasta Salad - featured image
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A smoky, creamy pasta salad featuring fresh corn, chipotle mayo, and salty cotija cheese, perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or shell pasta
  • 3 cups corn kernels (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing corn)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or shell pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. If using fresh corn, slice kernels off 3 ears of corn. If using frozen, thaw and drain well. To add smoky flavor, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add corn and sauté for 5-7 minutes until lightly charred and aromatic. Let cool.
  3. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, 1-2 finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1 minced garlic clove. Whisk until smooth. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Let sit for 10 minutes if possible.
  4. Thinly slice 2 green onions and chop ¼ cup fresh cilantro.
  5. In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta, corn, and herbs with the chipotle mayo dressing. Fold in ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese gently.
  6. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra lime juice as needed.
  7. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinsing pasta after cooking prevents mushiness and helps dressing cling better. Roasting corn adds smoky depth but is optional. Start with less chipotle pepper and adjust to taste. Fold in cotija cheese gently to maintain texture. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: elote pasta salad, chipotle mayo, cotija cheese, summer salad, pasta salad recipe, smoky pasta salad, easy pasta salad, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/flavorful-elote-pasta-salad-recipe-with-easy-chipotle-mayo-dressing/