Creamy Corn Casserole Recipe
This creamy corn casserole recipe is the side dish that disappears first at every Thanksgiving table. Sweet corn baked in a rich, custardy base with sour cream, butter, and melted cheese, finished with a golden, slightly crunchy topping — it tastes like cornbread and creamed corn had a very good idea together. It takes ten minutes to mix, bakes in under an hour, and holds beautifully on a crowded holiday buffet.
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes Total time: 55 minutes Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) cream-style corn
- 1 box (8.5 ounces) corn muffin mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a large glass casserole dish with butter. 2. In a large bowl, stir together the drained whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, melted butter, and beaten eggs until just combined. Do not overmix — a few small lumps are fine. 3. Fold in half of the shredded cheddar, the salt, and the pepper. 4. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar over the top. 5. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the edges are golden and pulling slightly away from the dish and the center is set but still slightly soft — it will firm up as it cools. 6. Rest for 10 minutes before serving so the casserole sets. Garnish with chives or green onions if you like, and serve warm.
Tips
- Do not overbake. The center should still have a slight jiggle when you pull it out — it sets as it cools. Overbaking dries out the custard and turns the edges tough.
- Make it ahead. Assemble the casserole the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Add 10 minutes to the baking time when baking straight from the fridge.
- Vary the cheese. Sharp cheddar is classic, but pepper jack adds a gentle kick and smoked Gouda gives a deeper, richer flavor. A mix of two cheeses works beautifully too.
What you’ll need: a good glass baking dish with a lid makes this easy to bake, transport, and store — see our guide to the best glass mixing bowl sets with lids if you’re still shopping.
