Description
Cotija Mexican Style Elote Pasta Salad is a bursting flavorful and creamy dish inspired by traditional Mexican street corn. Combining fresh corn, smoky spices, tender short pasta, and crumbly plant-based Cotija (plant-based), it creates a bright, fresh, and light salad perfect as a side or a light main. This versatile and colorful pasta salad delivers smoky, tangy, and savory notes with a naturally creamy texture that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh corn kernels (or high-quality frozen corn)
- 8 ounces short pasta such as fusilli or rotini
- 1/2 cup plant-based Cotija (plant-based), crumbled
- 1/3 cup plant-based mayonnaise (plant-based)
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt (plant-based)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the short pasta in salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool and stop cooking, ensuring the pasta is firm and ready for the salad.
- Prepare the Corn: Grill or roast fresh corn to develop smoky, caramelized flavor. Cut kernels off the cob once cooled. Alternatively, lightly sauté frozen corn with a pinch of smoked paprika to add depth.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together plant-based mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (plant-based), lime juice (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), smoked paprika, chipotle powder (natural), garlic powder (natural), salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, gently toss the cooled pasta with roasted corn kernels, chopped cilantro, the creamy dressing, and crumbled plant-based Cotija (plant-based) until everything is well coated.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Notes
- Use fresh corn when available for the best natural sweetness and crunch.
- Charring the corn adds essential smoky flavor key to authentic elote taste.
- Cool pasta completely after cooking to prevent clumping in the salad.
- Adjust creaminess by adding a splash of plant-based milk or additional lime juice if desired.
- Refrigerate before serving to blend and enhance the fresh and smoky flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Mexican pasta salad, elote pasta salad, plant-based Cotija pasta, creamy corn pasta salad, smoky pasta salad
