By Becky Hardin
Updated Jul 23, 2025
I love serving this creamy and delicious Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad as a side dish for taco night, Cinco de Mayo, or any weeknight when we’re craving something rich and tasty. It’s so easy to make this salad and leftovers taste great the next day.
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5-Star Review
“Loved this recipe! Was tired of rice and beans. I added more mayo and Mexican crema and Chipotle Chili powder which gave it a nice Smokey flavor and just seasoned to taste.” – Ana
Easy Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
This street corn pasta salad is filled with corn, cheese, a chili lime mayo dressing, and so much more. It’s a fun side dish or a simple lunch. My whole family enjoys this flavorful pasta salad.
I’ve added a touch of chili powder and cayenne pepper for a slight kick, but feel free to adjust the amounts to your preference. If you really want to take the heat up a notch, you can add chopped fresh jalapeños.
If you aren’t familiar, Mexican street corn (also called Elote or Esquites ) is a delicious street food that’s now become a popular side dish, appetizer, or snack. It’s grilled corn with a mayo sauce, usually topped with chili powder, lime, and cheese. Though not traditional, I’ve added pasta so it has a little more substance. I also love to top mine with a sprinkling of fresh cilantro for a pop of freshness and flavor.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 tbsp unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
- ▢ ¼ onion minced
- ▢ 1 clove garlic minced or pressed
- ▢ 2 cups canned corn (⅘ can)
- ▢ 8 oz. dried pasta (½ box), or any short noodle like fusilli, rotini, or penne, gluten free if needed
- ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
- ▢ ¼ cup mayonnaise store-bought or homemade
- ▢ ½ cup sour cream
- ▢ 1½ tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice from about 1 lime
- ▢ ½ tsp chili powder or more to taste
- ▢ ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- ▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ▢ 1 cup cotija cheese queso fresco or feta also work
Video
Instructions
- Add the butter to a large skillet set over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, then add in the corn, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 6-7 minutes, or until blistered. Turn off the heat, transfer the corn to a clean bowl or plate and allow it to cool down to room temperature. 1 tbsp unsalted butter, ¼ onion, 1 clove garlic, 2 cups canned corn
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions (cook until al dente). Drain and toss with olive oil to keep it from drying out. Set aside and allow to cool down to room temperature. 8 oz. dried pasta, 2 tbsp olive oil
- In a medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired. ¼ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 1½ tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, ½ tsp chili powder, ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In a large salad bowl or baking dish, add the corn, pasta, and mayo dressing. Toss until everything is evenly coated, top with cheese and serve immediately while it’s still warm. 1 cup cotija cheese
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Step by Step
Cook onion and corn: Add 1 tbsp butter to a large skillet set over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add ¼ onion and 1 clove garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, then add in 2 cups corn, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 6-7 minutes, or until blistered. Turn off the heat, transfer the corn to a clean bowl or plate, and allow it to cool down to room temperature.
Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook 8 oz. pasta in salted water according to the package instructions (cook until al dente). Drain and toss with 2 tbsp olive oil to keep it from drying out. Set aside and allow to cool down to room temperature.
Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, add ¼ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 1½ tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, ½ tsp chili powder, ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.
Combine everything : In a large salad bowl or baking dish, add the corn, pasta, and mayo dressing. Toss until everything is evenly coated, top with 1 cup cheese and serve immediately while it’s still warm.
How to Store
Store leftover street corn pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy at room temperature, slightly warmed, or cold straight from the refrigerator. I do not recommend freezing this pasta salad.
When serving after refrigeration, toss it with more lime juice, olive oil, or a little milk to loosen it up and get that creamy texture back.
What to Serve with Esquites Pasta Salad
Street corn pasta salad is delicious as a side dish for taco night or Cinco de Mayo! If I am keeping with a Mexican theme, I’ll serve it alongside a main like cilantro lime chicken , or hearty beef taquitos though it also works with chicken enchiladas , or baked chicken tacos .
more mexican street corn recipes
Street Corn Salsa
Mexican Street Corn Dip
Mexican Street Corn Chicken
Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Off the Cob)
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
- ¼ onion minced
- 1 clove garlic minced or pressed
- 2 cups canned corn (⅘ can)
- 8 oz. dried pasta (½ box), or any short noodle like fusilli, rotini, or penne, gluten free if needed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup mayonnaise store-bought or homemade
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1½ tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice from about 1 lime
- ½ tsp chili powder or more to taste
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup cotija cheese queso fresco or feta also work
Instructions
- Add the butter to a large skillet set over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, then add in the corn, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 6-7 minutes, or until blistered. Turn off the heat, transfer the corn to a clean bowl or plate and allow it to cool down to room temperature. 1 tbsp unsalted butter, ¼ onion, 1 clove garlic, 2 cups canned corn
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions (cook until al dente). Drain and toss with olive oil to keep it from drying out. Set aside and allow to cool down to room temperature. 8 oz. dried pasta, 2 tbsp olive oil
- In a medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired. ¼ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 1½ tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, ½ tsp chili powder, ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In a large salad bowl or baking dish, add the corn, pasta, and mayo dressing. Toss until everything is evenly coated, top with cheese and serve immediately while it’s still warm. 1 cup cotija cheese
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
