Yummy Creamy Elote Corn Pasta| Delicious Summer Fusion

Aside from sunshine, one thing I look forward to in summer is all the summer BBQs that are added to the calendar as well as family dinners during the week. This creamy elote pasta recipe is mixed with a lime Greek yogurt dressing alongside sweet corn and cilantro meaning it has street corn tastes but in a pasta format. If you really want to enjoy it during the summer, pair it with grilled chicken or really any barbecued meat.
I have to admit that this dish is a touch on the rich side but the taste is amazing. While the recipe is light in flavor, I believe that the lack of meat in the dish helps with the overall feel, keeping it light and not overwhelming.
I made it sound like every other “one pot pasta” recipe out there, but in truth it is hard to make it sound anything other than tantalizing, especially when you add the word “pasta” to it. I’ve been kinda sneaky about the kitchen renovation because I didn’t want to jinx it. I’m really superstitious.

Move on to the Recipe of Creamy Elote Corn Pasta,

I know you will love this creamy elote pasta recipe! Now let’s focus on what you need to make this easy elote pasta. The best thing about this dish in my opinion is the fact that the ingredients are simple yet very tasteful.

In this section, we will talk about the delicious ingredients you need to prepare this dish:

For the Creamy Elote Pasta Base,

• Sweet corn
• Cooked pasta
• Cilantro
• Green onion (I also used red onion that’s diced or a sliced green onion, added to taste)
• Diced jalapeño (Used Canned OR fresh diced jalapeño for this recipe)
• Diced red bell pepper (it will enhance the overall color)
• Cotija cheese (Another necessity and adds a creamier texture to your pasta as well as a nice touch when crumbled on top)

For Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing,

• Lime juice: Squeeze out the juice from a fresh lime and add it as per your preferences.
• Plain Greek yogurt: It will enhance the overall taste of the pasta while giving a creamy dressing and also some protein. Keep in mind that if you choose to use full fat Greek yogurt, the dressing will thicken as it stays in the fridge, so make sure to mix it a lot or add extra dressing before serving.
• Mayo: I added the olive oil mayo to lessen the vibrant tanginess of the Greek yogurt and also make sure that the consistency of the dressing is thin, to begin with, so it does not get thicker with time when your pasta is in the fridge.
• Honey: Not essential, but it does contribute some sweetness to the dressing.
• Seasonings: You will need garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper.

Prep Work,

• In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayo, honey, lime juice, and seasonings. Taste and adjust your dressing if necessary.
• Put your cooked pasta, chopped green onions, cilantro, cotija cheese, sweet corn, and diced jalapeños in a big mixing dish.
• Add the Greek yogurt dressing and mix the pasta until everything is coated in the dressing and thoroughly blended. Add chopped cilantro, sweet corn, and additional crumbled cotija cheese on top.
• Serve and enjoy!

Make it a Complete Meal,

Incorporate any of the following proteins to elevate the pasta from a side dish to a multi-faceted meal:

• Shredded chicken, particularly from a rotisserie
• Beef tips
• Edamame
• Grilled shrimp
• Cubed tofu
• Baked Salmon

Swaps, Substitutions, & Serving Suggestions:

One of the best parts of this street corn pasta is its versatility and how every iteration can be tailored to anyone’s preferences. Here are some recommendations:

• For additional protein, consider including chopped chicken or a high-protein pasta.
• Any type of seasoning can be utilized for this recipe, but the chili powder and dash of cayenne pepper for some heat are musts.
• For creamy texture and healthy fat, add diced avocado.
• To increase the number of vegetables, include bell peppers, red onion, and black beans, or serve the dish on a bed of lettuce.
• This dish could easily benefit from diced avocado or black beans.
• You can add some extra fresh jalapeno or cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
• Instead of chopped green onions, one easy swap would be finely diced red onion. If you love onion, you can use both!
• For a deliciously salty addition, add bacon bits or even chorizo.
• If the cotija cheese is hard to find, you can replace it with quash fresco or even feta cheese. It may lose a bit of the street corn flavors, but you can even use parmesan cheese for a stronger Italian twist.
• While this lime Greek yogurt dressing goes well with the flavors of the elote pasta, you could substitute it with any dressing you like, especially if you dislike Greek yogurt’s tanginess.
• For a Mexican street corn, double the corn and omit the pasta.
• Try orzo or tortellini for an alternative pasta experience.
• If you enjoy potent lime, include some lime zest into the dressing.
• In case your Street Corn Pasta needs a crunch, don’t hesitate to top it off with crushed tortilla chips!

It Is Almost Impossible Not to Love This Tangy Street Corn Pasta Recipe, Especially Because It Is,

I will be honest, cilantro in a pasta is usually not the route that I take, but with this recipe, I wouldn’t say I totally hate it! This Elote corn pasta is bursting with flavor because of fresh lime, tangy tajin, chopped cilantro, and sweet corn, making every bite of pasta delicious.

• To make the recipe easier and quicker to prepare, I opted for canned corn, but for those who prefer the taste of grilled food, this recipe can also be made using frozen or grilled corn.
• A simple way to add protein is to use a high-protein Greek yogurt dressing base (or blended cottage cheese for reduced tang).
• If you want the classic street corn warmth, you can absolutely warm up this Elote Pasta in the microwave.
• If like me you enjoy the Mexican spices in food, then this elote-inspired pasta will absolutely amaze you.
• The dish contains the most important ingredients of the Mexican street corn elote such as cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro, and lime. Just like elote, there is a creamy base, which serves as the dressing for this pasta.
• It can be relished as a side dish too since a serving contains 12 to 15 grams of protein and 4 to 8 grams of fiber, which is quite a lot. However, these values can be increased by adding more protein to transform it into a complete meal. I prefer shredded chicken, edamame, or black beans.
• The dressing for this easy Mexican street corn pasta is healthy since it uses Greek yogurt instead of other ingredients while still maintaining a creamy and indulgent taste.
• Although this can be an excellent dish to take to a summer barbecue, it’s enjoyable year-round. It’s especially ideal for meal prepping on Sundays because it holds up well throughout the week and makes for a quick weeknight dinner.
• Grilling or air frying fresh corn on the cob is delicious, but frozen corn is a quicker alternative. If you can find it, frozen fire-roasted corn is the best! Even canned corn can be used.
• From the onions to the garlic, creamy mayo to the zest of freshly squeezed lime juice and sweet corn nuggets to hearty macaroni pasta, the explosion of flavor is insane enough to make this dish a meal.
• You can make this recipe so easily and quickly.
• As it sits, of course, it only gets better as the flavors meld together. So prepare this 1-2 days in advance of when you plan to serve it.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• This is one of the most popular recipes for pasta during summer. It’s enjoyed by everyone who tries it.

Can You Make This Ahead?

Indeed, the dish can be prepped ahead of time. Not only does refrigerator storage enhance the blend of flavors in pasta, but it also improves the overall taste. One to two days prior to the serving date is ideal, just make sure that the container is properly sealed to prevent the absorption of other scents.

Notes

• If cotija cheese is unavailable, sub queso fresco, feta or even parmesan cheese.
• Torn or grilled chicken, shrimp, black beans, tofu, salmon, and even edamame can be added to convert this into a full meal.

If you want to become the fan favorite at the next cookout, ‘bring Creamy Elote Pasta’ with you. The dish is not only prepped with street corn, but also a creamy cold base, zesty and sweet corn, and a generous serving of lime juice.