If there’s one dish that never fails to bring comfort, joy, and a quiet moment of “mmm” around the table, it’s this Creamy Corn Casserole. Soft, golden, and brimming with sweet-savory flavor, it has a way of making people go back for seconds — even thirds — without hesitation.
💛 Why You’ll Fall In Love With This Dish
It’s simple. It’s rich. And it’s fast. This corn casserole isn’t just a side — it’s the unsung hero of your holiday table. In just 5 minutes of prep time, you’ll stir up something that feels like it took hours of love. The creamy texture, the light sweetness of corn, the savory notes of melted cheese and green onion… it’s truly a little bit of magic in every spoonful.
Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or just a cozy Sunday, this dish brings warmth and flavor with zero fuss.
✨ What Is Corn Casserole, Really?
At its core, corn casserole is comfort food. It’s where cornbread meets creamed corn, and they become best friends in a buttery, cheesy embrace. This version uses a simple corn muffin mix (yes, the box kind!), creamed corn, whole corn kernels, sour cream, butter, and cheese — all baked into a soft, flavorful delight.
Think of it as part creamy corn pudding, part cornbread, and completely irresistible.
🥄 What Makes This Recipe Stand Out
• Just 5 minutes of prep
• No mixer, no fuss — just stir and bake
• Perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness
• Creamy inside with a lightly crisp golden top
• Totally customizable — mild or spicy, cheesy or light
👩‍🍳 The Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple pantry staples come together in the most delicious way:
• ¾ cup sour cream
• ½ cup salted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 box (8 oz) corn muffin mix
• 1 can (15 oz) creamed corn
• 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
• 4 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
You can feel it already — that perfect creamy, cheesy, corn-filled bite melting in your mouth.
🔥 Let’s Make It Together
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- Lightly grease a 9-inch square or 2-quart baking dish
- In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, melted butter, egg, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder
- Add in the corn muffin mix, creamed corn, whole corn kernels, shredded cheese, and green onions
- Stir everything gently until just combined. No need to overmix
- Pour into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is set
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving
🍴 The result? A golden, luscious casserole that makes every bite feel like home.
đź’ˇ Tips to Make It Even Better
• Want it extra cheesy? Add more shredded cheddar on top during the last 10 minutes of baking
• Craving a spicy kick? Mix in some diced jalapeños or swap for spicy cheese
• Need to prep ahead? Assemble everything the day before, refrigerate overnight, and bake the next day
• Have leftovers? They keep beautifully and taste even better the next day
🌽 Can I Use Frozen Corn Instead?
Absolutely. You can use 1½ to 2 cups of frozen corn in place of canned whole corn. Add it in frozen or thawed — it’ll still come out perfectly creamy and sweet.
🧀 Switch Up the Cheese
You’re not limited to pepper jack. Try sharp cheddar for a bold flavor, mozzarella for creamy stretch, or colby jack for a crowd-pleasing classic. There’s no wrong choice here.
🥓 Irresistible Variations To Try
🧀 Extra Cheesy Corn Casserole
Stir in ½ cup of sharp cheddar and top with another ½ cup during the last 10 minutes of baking. It melts into a golden crust that’s hard to resist.
🌶 Spicy Jalapeño Corn Casserole
Add 2 diced, seeded jalapeños to the mix and increase the pepper jack to 1½ cups for a warm, spicy kick.
🥓 Loaded Corn Casserole
Crumble in 4 to 6 cooked strips of bacon and a handful of cheese for a version that feels like a full meal in one bite.
đź•’ Make It Ahead, Save Time Later
Planning for the holidays? This dish is a time-saver. Just mix it all together the day before, cover it up, and pop it in the fridge. When it’s time to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as usual.
🧊 Store It For Later
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freeze for up to 3 months — wrap well in plastic wrap and foil
• Reheat gently in the oven or microwave
🎉 Perfect Pairings for a Holiday Table
• Roasted turkey or glazed ham
• Garlic green beans
• Mashed potatoes
• Cranberry sauce
• Sweet potato casserole
This casserole belongs right in the center of your spread, next to all your festive favorites.
🍂 Why It Feels Like a Hug in a Dish
There’s something about creamy corn casserole that goes deeper than flavor. It feels nostalgic. It feels comforting. It reminds people of family, of warmth, of holidays where everyone passes the dish around twice before the main course even starts.
It’s the kind of dish that makes memories.
So whether you’re feeding your family or bringing something special to a potluck, this is the recipe that says, “I made this with love.”
🌟 Final Thought
This corn casserole might be humble in ingredients, but it shines with flavor and warmth. It’s the kind of recipe you keep, share, and make again and again. One bite and you’ll understand why it’s loved by so many.
📝 Don’t forget to save this recipe. You’ll want it close for every holiday and every cozy gathering in between.
