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Easy Elote Pasta Salad

Easy Elote Pasta Salad: A Creamy BBQ Side You’ll Love

Enjoy the Easy Elote Pasta Salad featuring creamy chili-lime dressing and smoky corn, perfect for summer BBQs.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for lighter option
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream or plain yogurt as a substitute
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 unit Fresh Lime Juice from 1 lime
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
Salad
  • 12 oz Ditalini Pasta or substitute with cavatappi, fusilli, or farfalle
  • 16 oz Grilled or Roasted Corn fresh, canned or frozen
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro chopped
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion finely diced
  • 1/3 cup Cotija Cheese or substitute with feta or queso fresco

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Colander
  • Grill or skillet
  • Medium Bowl
  • large mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, add Ditalini pasta, and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. Prepare the corn: Grill fresh corn on medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes until charred or sauté canned/frozen corn in a skillet with olive oil and butter for about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lime juice, spices, and whisk until smooth.
  4. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, corn, red onion, cilantro, and Cotija cheese. Pour dressing over and toss gently.
  5. Serve or chill: Enjoy immediately or let it chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours for enhanced flavors.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 8gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For added color, consider including bell peppers or cherry tomatoes. Adjust spice according to preferences.

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