One-Pot Mexican Street Corn Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

A creamy, cheesy pasta inspired by Mexican street corn, cooked all in one pot with corn kernels, spices, and fresh lime. This Mexican one-pot recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni pasta, fresh corn kernels, and vegetable broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni pasta
• 2 cups (from about 3 ears) fresh corn kernels
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 small finely chopped jalapeño, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Add 12 oz elbow macaroni, 2 cups fresh corn kernels, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika to the pot. Stir to combine.
3. Step 3: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, for 10-12 minutes until the pasta is tender and most broth is absorbed.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese until creamy.
5. Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lime juice if desired. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro on top before serving warm.