Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Elote (Street Corn) Pasta Salad
Elote (Street Corn) Pasta Salad brings together chipotle powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Put a mug or measuring cup beside the stove before you start. The quick notes will help you get the small jobs lined up before you start.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 85 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 17 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Sides
- Cuisine
- Mexican
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: over 60 minutes
- Dietary characteristics
- Vegetarian
- Dish type
- Pasta · Salads
A few quick notes
1. Keep a little pasta water
Put a mug or measuring cup beside the stove before you start. Scoop out the cooking water where the method tells you to, then add it gradually when bringing the pasta and sauce together.
2. Plan the chilling step
Read the chilling step before deciding when to start. Make room in the fridge and use the time and sequence in the recipe, so that part does not catch you by surprise.
3. Drain and rinse before adding
Give the draining and rinsing step its place before the ingredient goes into the mixture. Set out a colander or sieve so that small preparation job is ready when you need it.
Get to know the ingredients
Chipotle powder
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: In a small bowl, stir together chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and set aside.
Cumin
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: In a small bowl, stir together chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and set aside.
Smoked paprika
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: In a small bowl, stir together chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and set aside.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 7 steps completeMake room for Elote (Street Corn) Pasta Salad
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Keep the last little job in mind
The recipe finishes with this step: Top with remaining green onions and queso fresco before serving. Set out what you need for that finish before the cooking gets busy.
A little more help as you go
Leave room for the cooling step
The cooling step comes before another part of the finish. Set the food aside as the method directs and keep that pause in mind before cutting, coating or putting the final parts together.
Set out the finishing ingredient
Keep the finishing ingredient within reach while the main preparation is going on. Add it at the step in the method so the last job is easy to complete.
Remember the occasional stir
Keep the pan where you can return for the stirring step in the method. Use the stated heat and finish check while it warms or cooks.
A few questions you might have
What should I get ready before starting?
Set out the skillet. Read the first preparation step before you get going: Gather and prep all ingredients.
Which little step is worth remembering?
Put a mug or measuring cup beside the stove before you start. Scoop out the cooking water where the method tells you to, then add it gradually when bringing the pasta and sauce together.
What happens at the end?
Keep this part of the method in view: Top with remaining green onions and queso fresco before serving.
Is there another preparation step to plan for?
The cooling step comes before another part of the finish. Set the food aside as the method directs and keep that pause in mind before cutting, coating or putting the final parts together.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: Budget Bytes. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
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