• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Cooking Classes & Tips
  • Kitchen Essentials
  • Subscribe
  • About

Just Maika Cooking

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Global Recipes
  • Cooking Classes & Tips
  • Kitchen Essentials
  • Custom Herb Spice Shop
  • About JMC

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Global Recipes
  • Cooking Classes & Tips
  • Kitchen Essentials
  • Custom Herb Spice Shop
  • About JMC

×
Home » Recipes

Published: Oct 18, 2023 · Modified: Apr 21, 2025 by Maika · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Easy Oven Baked Pecorino Basil Pesto Corn on the Cob

Sharing is caring!

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This pecorino basil pesto corn is an incredible combination of spicy basil with a creamy mixture of mayonnaise and Pecorino, complementing the sweet oven-baked corn on the cob.

oven-baked parmesan pesto corn on the cob on a rectangular plate with half of a lemon on a wooden background

Table of Contents

Jump to:
  • Street Corn at Home
  • What's for Dinner?
  • Ingredients with Steps
  • Instructions with Pictures
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Equipment
  • Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews
  • Storage
  • Cooking Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Side Dish Ideas
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
  • Have a Comment or Question?

Street Corn at Home

Turn regular corn into a fabulous side dish.  There is nothing like fresh sweet corn, and what better way than the popular street food found on the streets of Mexico City?  Mexican Elote.  

This sweet summer corn dish is inspired by an American favorite using corn cobs in a creamy sauce and crumbly cheese with an Italian flair.  This is a great side dish that goes well with my chicken cutlet recipe, which will be posted next week. Subscribe for the recipe!  

In addition, the creamy mayo sauce is super easy to make. You'll be making this every week for your little cravings!  Since you can eat this on its own or with wings, a veggie burger, or even carne asada tacos!  It's up to you.

What's for Dinner?

  • Spicy Chicken Burger with Harissa Eggplant Sauce
  • Homemade Easy Spicy Basil Pesto
  • Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder with Dumplings | Dairy-Free
  • Italian Chicken Sausage Stuffed with Portobello Mushrooms.
  • Spicy Pesto Chicken Pasta
  • Easy Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Lasagna
  • Creamy Argentinian Shrimp Pesto Pasta with Jalapeño

Ingredients with Steps

After you have soaked your skewers, set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Place the skewered corn on each square-foot piece of aluminum foil, rub them with olive oil and salt, and wrap them up.  Bake for 30 minutes, and then let them rest.  

Make the spicy basil pesto mayo while they are cooling down just a little.  Combine the spicy basil pesto, red pepper chili flakes, and mayonnaise in a small bowl.  

Super easy, right!?  Brush it onto the corn on the cobs and dust with grated pecorino romano cheese and smoked paprika powder.  For that extra flavor kick, serve with a lemon wedge to squeeze on.  So good!

See the pecorino basil pesto corn recipe card for quantities.

ingredients for the oven baked parmesan pesto corn on the cob

Instructions with Pictures

brushing olive oil on the corn with a pastry brush on aluminum foil surrounded by a salt cellar and a bowl of olive oil

Brush the skewered corn on the cob with olive oil and season with salt.

beginning of wrapping the corn on the cob

Place the corn in the middle of the 1-foot foil paper, pointing towards the upper right corner. Then, fold the upper right corner over it.

wrapping the skewered corn on the cob

Fold over the left side of the foil over the corn and roll to wrap tightly. Then, seal the foil around the bottom of the skewer.

skewered corn on the cob wrapped in aluminum foil on a sheet pan with a rack

Place it on a sheet pan with a rack and place it in the preheated oven.

spicy basil pesto mayo in a bowl on a marble counter

Combine the ingredients for the spicy basil pesto mayo.

brushing corn with pesto mayo for parmesan pesto corn con the cob recipe

Gently brush the mayo all over the corn.

baked corn with pesto mayo and sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese and smoked paprika in foil on a round

Brush on the grated Italian cheese blend and smoked paprika.

oven-baked parmesan pesto corn on the cob on a rectangular plate with half of a lemon on a wooden background

Serve the oven-baked pecorino basil pesto corn on the cob with a fresh lemon.

Substitutions

  • Spicy Basil Pesto - If you can't find this in stores, there is the option to make it yourself using my Spicy Basil Pesto Recipe.  If not, just use regular basil pesto and add more red pepper chili flakes to your preferred heat level.
  • Pecorino Romano Cheese - Use grated Parmesan or Italian cheese blend. This cheese blend tends to be a combination of grated Parmesan and Pecorino Romano cheese.  However, you can interchangeably use just one of those.  Or you can grate a block of the cheese yourself using a microplane, box grater, or food processor.  Learn more ways to use a microplane, like zesting.
  • Non-Dairy - Try using NOOCH IT! Cashew Grated Cheese and Chosen Foods Classic Vegan Avocado Oil-Based Mayonnaise.

Change Heat Level - Modify the pecorino basil pesto corn recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.

Variations

  • Oven-Baked - Try air frying it without the skewers at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes in the air fryer. Or enjoy grilled corn on medium-high heat for about 20-25 minutes on the grill.
  • Smoke Heat - Replace the regular mayonnaise with chipotle mayo and the smoked paprika with chili powder, and serve with lime wedges instead of lemon.
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad Inspiration - Slice the corn kernels into a bowl after baking them.  Combine one part of sour cream or Mexican cream with the mayo mixture in the recipe, with the cheese and smoked paprika, and squeeze in the lemon juice.

Equipment

  • Bamboo Skewers - You can use short 7-inch skewers like the Gere Thick Skewers for Corn Cob.  But I cut long bamboo in half using kitchen shears, like the OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen and Herb Scissors.  Specifically, kitchen shears, since they have this feature with holes to cut stems and skewers.
  • Aluminum Foil - These will be cut into 1-foot squares to wrap them for baking.  This helps create steam faster and keeps the oil and seasoning on the corn.
  • Sheet Pan - I prefer using the sheet pan with a rack, allowing hot air to cook the corn evenly.  But you can just use the sheet pan or a large enough baking dish.
  • Pastry Brush - Try using a silicone brush. They are easier to clean, like the OXO Good Grips Silicone Basting & Pastry Brush, with no bristle debris on food.

Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews

Find a collection of my reviews of kitchen equipment that I have purchased or recommend. Kitchen Must-Haves - Find other tools I use here.

JMC Purchsed
USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Baking Pan and Bakeable Nonstick and Cooling Rack Set, Metal
$33.99

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Purchased: September 10, 2024

My Review: The USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Baking Pan and Nonstick Cooling Rack Set is such a smart buy—it’s incredibly convenient to have both the pan and rack come together as a set. You never know when you’ll need the rack for roasting, cooling, or glazing, and having it perfectly fitted to the pan saves so much time and hassle. The pan itself is super sturdy with excellent heat distribution, and the nonstick rack makes cleanup a breeze. I’ve used it for everything from baking cookies to roasting vegetables and even draining fried foods. It’s one of those kitchen upgrades that just makes life easier.

USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Baking Pan and Bakeable Nonstick and Cooling Rack Set, Metal
Buy Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
05/20/2025 09:51 am GMT

Storage

  • Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, you can place the pecorino basil pesto corn in a shallow 2-inch container to cool down quickly. Then, store it in an airtight container.  As a result, the meal will last up to two days.
  • Freezer - I do not recommend freezing the finished product.  But you can freeze cooked corn.  Cool down completely, wrap it in parchment, then place it in the freezer in a labeled, resealable freezer bag.

Cooking Tips

Your Cooking Tips Resource Guide - Become a better home cook with tips to help you cook more efficiently on the Cook's Notebook tab.

  • Soak Bamboo Skewers - If you use these wooden skewers, ensure to soak them for at least 30 minutes before using them.
  • Italian Cheese Blend Recommendation - Locatelli's Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese is a highly recommended house favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Parmesan and Pecorino Romano Cheese?

Both are hard Italian cheeses, but Parmesan, an older cheese, is made with cow's milk, while Pecorino Romano, a younger cheese, is made from sheep's milk.  Both can be shaved, shredded, or grated.  

Side Dish Ideas

Looking for other side dish recipe ideas like this? Try these: 

  • guacamole in a glass bowl.
    Quick & Easy Food Chopper Guacamole with Jalapeño Kick
  • close up of the Parsley Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad.
    Quick Parsley Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
  • sumac onions in a bowl.
    Marinated Sumac Onions | Easy and Quick
  • up close view of the multigrain rice in the rice cooker.
    How to Make Multigrain Rice | Purple Rice Recipe
See more Sides →

Vegetarian Recipes

Looking for other vegetarian recipes like this? Try these: 

  • side view of the Grilled beef skewers with black mushroom rice on a flat round plate with more escovitch-style vegetables in the background.
    Haitian Djon Djon Rice Recipe (Diri Djon Djon)
  • cholula green chli sour cream in a glass bowl with a spoon.
    Homemade Cholula Green Chili Sour Cream Sauce
  • pico de gallo, fresh salsa in a glass container.
    Homemade Pico de Gallo | Fresh Salsa in 10 Minutes
  • Calabrian Chickpea Pasta in a bowl.
    One-Pan Calabrian Chickpea Pasta Recipe | Fast & Flavorful
See more Vegetarian →

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
Be the first to rate.

Easy Oven Baked Parmesan Pesto Corn on the Cob

Prevent your screen from going dark
Author: Maika
An incredible combination of spicy basil with a creamy mixture of mayonnaise and Italian cheese blend compliments the sweet oven-roasted corn on the cob.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Servings 2 Servings
Course: Sides, Vegetarian
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Bake, Cheese, Easy
Calories: 336kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 corn on the cob fresh
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons basil pesto
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons grated Italian cheese
  • chopped parsley for garnish
  • smoked paprika powder for garnish
  • lemon wedges for garnish

Equipment

  • Bamboo Skewers
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Sheet Pan
  • Pastry Brush

Instructions

  • Do this First: If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them to reduce fire hazards. Do this first, then start the prep for this recipe.
  • Set the Oven: Preheat oven to 400 °F.
  • Prep the Corn: Carefully insert a skewer into each corn cob. Then, place each corn on a piece of foil paper (1x1ft), enough to wrap it later. Rub each corn with olive oil and season with salt. Then, close and wrap the corn with the foil evenly without bunching at the top. Watch my picture and video tutorials for extra help.
  • Bake the Corn: Place them on a sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes. Then, when the corn is tender, remove it from the oven and rest for 8 minutes.
  • Make the Corn Toppings While the Corn Bakes: Mix the pesto, red pepper flakes, and mayonnaise in a small mixing bowl.
  • Add Toppings: After the corn has rested, open the foil, leaving the corn on the foil. Then, brush the pesto mayo onto the corn evenly and sprinkle each corn with the cheese blend.
  • Garnish and Serve: Plate the corn and sprinkle with smoked paprika powder and chopped parsley. Then, serve with a lemon wedge. Finally, squeeze the lemon juice over the corn and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 795mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 373IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

SUBSCRIBE: 👈To my YouTube Channel to Get Notifications of New Videos.

Have a Comment or Question?

If you have a question or comment about this recipe, please post it below. You will definitely get a quick response. It also helps our other readers to stay informed. Thanks!

More Recipes

  • The lemongrass marinated spring roll being sliced into thirds on a color coded cutting board for ready to eat foods.
    Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with These Top Asian-Inspired Recipes
  • side view and close up the Easy Spicy Crispy Chicken Tacos with Cholula Sour Cream dish on a flat white round plate with shallow straight sides.
    4 Must-Try Tacos Recipes to Inspire Your Next Craving
  • split images of the jerk shrimp, chicken and steak fajitas.
    Jerk Fajita Trio: 3 Must-Try Recipes for a Spicy Weeknight Cook-Up
  • chicken and pork belly tacos topped with chunky cholula green chili sauce on a plate surrounded by pico de gallo and sliced cooked chicken.
    Air Fryer Chicken and Pork Belly Tacos | Easy & Crispy

Sharing is caring!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Chef Maika's profile photo in a chef coat and hand band with arms crossed smiling.

I’m Maika, a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, and culinary educator. For over a decade, I worked at major hotels such as the PGA National Resort, The Ritz-Carlon Hotel Company, Conrad Hilton, and W Hotel. As a lifetime passionate cook, my blog explores a world of flavors and experiments with recipes to create restaurant-quality dinners that will excite the food enthusiast's taste buds. Learn More →

No Bull. Pure Spice

custom herb spice shop logo.
custom herb spice shop's spicy all purpose seasoning blend spice jar held in hand.
Shop CustomHerbSpiceShop

Dietary Needs

Sliced Peach Piri Piri Chicken with Fonio Kale Salad on a plate.

Pollotarian

Caesar Salad with soft-boiled Egg, roasted campari Tomatoes and Chili-Infused Croutons garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper in a wide rim bowl.

Vegetarian

Gluten-Free

Dairy-Free

Grilled Zhug Ras el Hanout Lamb Chops and Tomato, cucumber, onion Salad served with a lemon-oregano dressing served with a grilled lemon.

Grain-Free

grilled marinated tofu on top of a warm roasted vegetable couscous salad on spicy basil romesco sauce in a wide rim bowl topped with micro greens.

Egg-Free

top view of the the Easy Spicy Crispy Chicken Tacos with Cholula Sour Cream sprinkled with fresh chopped cilantr on a flat white round plate with shallow straight sides.

Nut-Free

top view and close up the Lemon Calabrian Chili Chicken Orzo Soup in a wide rim bowl .

Mediterranean

Footer

↑ back to top

Legal Stuff

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Acceptable Use Policy

Helpful Links

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Learn Culinary
  • Subscribe
  • Careers

Affiliates

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Other Links

  • CustomHerbSpiceShop
  • Press Release

Copyright © 2024 Just Maika Cooking®, a Growth Culinary LLC Company. All Rights Reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

I’ll definitely make this again.
My family loved this!
With the suggested tips this recipe was delicious.
The presentation tips were super helpful—my dish looked professional!
The flavors were perfectly balanced.
I made this for special occasion, and everyone loved it!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required