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Easy Cheesy Corn Casserole Recipe


  • Author: Katherine

Ingredients

Scale

  • 14 ¾ ounces Creamed Corn: The foundation of our casserole, creamed corn provides a luxuriously smooth and creamy texture that binds all the ingredients together. It offers a subtle sweetness and a rich corn flavor that is central to the dish. When choosing creamed corn, opt for a good quality brand for the best taste. You can also explore different varieties of creamed corn, such as those with added herbs or spices, for a slight twist on the classic flavor profile.
  • 15 ¼ ounces Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, Drained: Adding whole kernel sweet corn brings a delightful textural contrast to the creamy base. The kernels provide pops of sweetness and a satisfying bite that prevents the casserole from being overly homogenous. Draining the corn is crucial to avoid excess liquid in the casserole, ensuring it sets properly and doesn’t become watery. Fresh or frozen corn can be used if you prefer, just ensure it is cooked and drained before adding it to the mix. For an extra layer of flavor, consider using roasted or grilled corn kernels for a smoky note.
  • 8 ounces Corn Muffin Mix (such as Jiffy): This is the magic ingredient that adds a subtle sweetness and a light, slightly crumbly texture to the casserole. Corn muffin mix acts as a binder, helping the casserole to set while contributing to its overall flavor profile. Jiffy brand is a popular and readily available choice, known for its slightly sweet and corny flavor. If you don’t have Jiffy mix on hand, you can use another brand of corn muffin mix or even make your own from scratch, ensuring it’s finely ground for a smooth texture in the casserole. For those who are gluten-sensitive, there are gluten-free corn muffin mixes available that can be substituted.
  • 8 ounces Sour Cream: Sour cream is the secret to the casserole’s creamy tanginess and moistness. It adds a subtle tartness that balances the sweetness of the corn and muffin mix, preventing the dish from becoming overly sweet. The fat content in sour cream also contributes to the rich and decadent texture of the casserole. Full-fat sour cream is recommended for the best flavor and texture, but you can use light sour cream if you prefer to reduce the fat content slightly, although it might slightly alter the richness and creaminess. Greek yogurt can also be used as a substitute, but it will result in a tangier flavor and slightly different texture.
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) Butter, Melted: Melted butter adds richness, flavor, and moisture to the casserole. It contributes to the overall tenderness and helps to bind the ingredients together. The buttery flavor enhances the other ingredients and creates a more decadent and satisfying dish. Unsalted butter is generally preferred in baking and cooking, allowing you to control the overall saltiness of the recipe. If using salted butter, you may want to reduce the amount of salt added to the recipe, if any. Melt the butter completely and let it cool slightly before adding it to the mixture to prevent it from cooking the other ingredients prematurely.
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, Shredded: Cheddar cheese provides a classic cheesy flavor and a beautiful golden, melted topping to the casserole. It adds a savory element that complements the sweetness of the corn and muffin mix. Shredded cheddar melts beautifully and creates a visually appealing and delicious cheesy crust. You can use sharp, medium, or mild cheddar depending on your preference for cheese intensity. Sharp cheddar will provide a more pronounced cheesy flavor, while mild cheddar will be more subtle. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses or cheese blends, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella, to customize the flavor profile to your liking. For a spicier kick, consider adding a bit of shredded pepper jack cheese.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Dish

  • Preheat Oven to 350°F/180°C: The first and most crucial step is to preheat your oven to the correct temperature. 350°F (180°C) is the ideal temperature for baking this casserole, ensuring it cooks evenly without burning and achieves a golden-brown top. Make sure your oven is properly preheated before placing the casserole inside to ensure consistent cooking. An oven thermometer can be helpful to verify your oven’s temperature accuracy.
  • Grease a Casserole Dish: While the oven is preheating, prepare your casserole dish. Greasing the dish is essential to prevent the casserole from sticking and to make serving easier. Use butter, cooking spray, or oil to lightly grease the inside of a standard 9×13 inch casserole dish. You can also use a slightly smaller or larger dish depending on your desired casserole thickness. A smaller dish will result in a thicker casserole, while a larger dish will create a thinner one.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

  • In a Large Bowl, Combine Creamed Corn, Sweet Corn, Corn Muffin Mix, Sour Cream, and Melted Butter: This is where the magic begins! In a large mixing bowl, add the creamed corn, drained sweet corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Ensure you use a bowl that is large enough to comfortably mix all the ingredients without spillage.
  • Mix Until Just Combined: Using a spatula or a large spoon, gently mix all the ingredients together until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the corn muffin mix, resulting in a tougher texture. Mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed and there are no large clumps of corn muffin mix remaining. The mixture should be smooth and creamy, with the whole corn kernels evenly dispersed throughout.

Step 3: Bake the Casserole

  • Pour Mixture into Greased Casserole Dish: Once the ingredients are well combined, pour the mixture into the greased casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the dish. Ensure the mixture is distributed in a uniform layer for even baking.
  • Bake Uncovered for 45 Minutes: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Baking uncovered allows the top of the casserole to brown and develop a slightly crispy texture. During this time, the casserole will set, and the flavors will meld together beautifully. Keep an eye on the casserole as it bakes. Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around 40 minutes.

Step 4: Add Cheese and Finish Baking

  • Remove from Oven and Cover with Shredded Cheddar Cheese: After baking for 45 minutes, carefully remove the casserole dish from the oven. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
  • Return to Oven and Bake Until Cheese is Melted, Approximately 5-10 Minutes: Place the casserole dish back into the oven and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is completely melted and bubbly. The cheese should be golden brown in spots and melted to a gooey perfection. Keep a close watch on the cheese to prevent it from burning.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

  • Serve Immediately: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove the casserole from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Serving it immediately while it’s warm and cheesy is highly recommended to enjoy it at its best.
  • Enjoy!: Serve generous portions of the Easy Cheesy Corn Casserole as a side dish alongside your favorite main courses. Get ready to savor the creamy, cheesy, and comforting flavors of this delightful dish!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 564 kcal