Easy Corn Casserole Recipe
- By Amy Dong
- Published Nov. 22, 2023
This Easy Corn Casserole recipe is a game-changer for your holiday meals. It’s a creamy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish with a soufflé-like texture that can be made ahead of time and goes great with just about any festive roast!
In This Article
Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe
Why This Recipe Stands Out
This Make-Ahead Corn Casserole recipe is one of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes, and for a good reason: it’s not only easy to make but also goes with all kinds of delicious holiday mains. Here’s why this is the best corn casserole recipe you’ll ever try:
- Pantry Staples: This recipe uses common ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
- Versatile: This corn casserole pairs well with any holiday roast such as Prime Rib, Roast Turkey, or Honey Baked Ham, making it a go-to side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this dish ahead of time, making your holiday cooking less stressful.
- Great Texture: The soufflé-like texture of this casserole is both velvety smooth and fluffy at the same time.
- Toppings: The crispy Panko topping adds a delightful crunch to the creamy casserole. We use it in our Panko Breaded Pork Chops and Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Yellow Cornmeal – Coarse yellow cornmeal gives this casserole a hearty texture and a rich corn flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
- Creamed Corn and Sweet Corn Kernels – These two ingredients are the heart of our corn casserole. They provide a sweet, creamy base that’s both delicious and comforting.
- Sour Cream – It gives our corn casserole a tangy twist, balancing the sweetness of the corn and adding to the creamy texture.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – They provide a crispy, crunchy topping that contrasts beautifully with the creamy casserole.
Substitutions And Variations
This Baked Corn Casserole Recipe is a holiday favorite, but there’s always room for a little creativity. Here are some variations and substitutions you can try to make this dish uniquely yours:
- Cheese: Add a cup of shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese to the mix for a cheesy twist on this classic corn casserole. It would be a delicious addition, much like in our Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes recipe.
- Sweet: If you prefer your corn casserole on the sweeter side, try adding a bit more sugar or even some honey into the mix.
- Protein: For a heartier dish, mix in some cooked, crumbled bacon or diced ham. This would make the casserole similar to our hearty Bacon and Egg Breakfast Casserole.
- Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, use a vegan butter substitute, replace the eggs with a flaxseed meal mixture, and use a dairy-free sour cream. You might also like our Vegetarian Chili if you’re looking for more plant-based dishes.
- Toppings: Experiment with different toppings like crumbled bacon, diced green onions, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for a different flavor profile.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda, salt, and olive oil. Whisk these ingredients together until they are fully combined and free of lumps.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl, excluding the Panko breadcrumbs and parsley. Stir gently until everything is well mixed.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish, ensuring it is spread evenly. Sprinkle the top with Panko breadcrumbs and parsley.
- Bake the dish at 325F on the lower middle rack of your oven for 50-55 minutes. Allow the casserole to sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes to set.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
This creamy and savory dish is perfect for any holiday meal, and we have some great tips to make the preparation even easier. Take a look at our favorite prep-ahead tips for this Corn Souffle Casserole recipe:
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: You can whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in advance. Store this dry mixture in an airtight container at room temperature until you’re ready to make the casserole. This will save you some time and reduce the mess on the day of cooking.
- Prepare the Corn: Both the creamed corn and sweet corn kernels can be drained from their cans and mixed together ahead of time. Store this in the fridge for up to a day before you plan to bake the casserole. This way, you’ll have one less step to worry about when it’s time to cook.
- Make the Casserole: You can fully prepare the corn casserole, minus the Panko breadcrumbs and parsley topping, a day in advance. Cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, simply add the topping and pop it in the oven. This strategy is perfect for holiday meals when oven space is at a premium.
What To Serve With Easy Corn Casserole
Proteins
- There is nothing like serving corn casserole with a Brined and Roasted Turkey for Thanksgiving or this Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy. This classic combination is a universal favorite for a reason!
- It also goes beautifully with our Instant Pot Whole Chicken and this succulent, juicy Prime Rib with Au Jus.
- We also love serving this tasty side with Grilled Pork Tenderloin or this delicious Smoked Pork Butt.
Soups and Stews
- A hearty chili is a perfect match for corn casserole. We love this comforting Crockpot Chili and this Healthy Chicken Chili.
- For a true comfort food meal, pair this casserole with a Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy or try out Instant Beef Pot Roast with Gravy. It’s one of our favorite combinations!
- And, of course, any of your favorite soups will go great with this souffle-like cornbread. This Easy Lasagna Soup is great for a hearty meal or go with a Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup if you’re looking for a classic.
Commonly Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for making ahead of time. Just prepare the casserole, let it cool, and then store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Warm it up right before serving.
This recipe calls for both creamed corn and sweet corn kernels, both canned with their juices. This combination gives the casserole a rich corn flavor.
Letting the casserole sit at room temperature after baking allows it to firm up. This makes it easier to cut into servings and enhances the texture.
This Make Ahead Corn Casserole can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and flavor.
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Easy Corn Casserole
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal, coarse
- 3 TB sugar
- 1 TB baking powder
- ¼ tsp table salt
- 2 TB olive oil
- 14.6 oz creamed corn, canned, with juices
- 14.5 oz sweet corn kernels, canned, with juices
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 4 TB salted butter, melted
- 1 cup whole sour cream
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- ⅔ cup Panko breadcrumbs, for topping
- 1 TB freshly chopped parsley, optional, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F with rack on lower middle position. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda, salt, and olive oil until fully combined and not lumpy.
- Add all remaining ingredients, except Panko breadcrumbs and parsley, to the bowl and gently stir together until fully incorporated.
- Pour mixture evenly into prepared baking dish. Top with evenly Panko breadcrumbs and parsley.
- Bake 50-55 min or until mostly set. Center will not be completely firm, but will set upon cooling.
- Let casserole sit at room temp for 30-60 minutes to give it time to firm up; serve either at room temp or reheat in oven until fully warmed through. * You can give it an extra broil for 5 minutes for topping to re-crisp.
Notes
- When combining the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda, salt, and olive oil, ensure to whisk them thoroughly until they are fully combined and free of lumps. This will ensure a smooth texture in your corn casserole.
- When adding the remaining ingredients to the bowl, stir gently to avoid over-mixing. Over-mixing can result in a dense casserole, while we’re aiming for a light, soufflé-like texture.
- Pour the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish to ensure the casserole cooks evenly. Uneven distribution can lead to some parts being undercooked or overcooked.
- Don’t skip the Panko breadcrumbs and parsley topping. They add a delicious crunch and fresh flavor that perfectly complements the creamy, savory, and sweet corn casserole.
- Be patient and let the casserole sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes after baking. This allows it to firm up and enhances the flavors.
- If you want to reheat the casserole, consider giving it an extra broil for 5 minutes. This will re-crisp the topping and make it taste as good as fresh.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with this recipe. You can add other ingredients like cheese or green onions to customize it to your taste.
- Remember, this Easy Corn Casserole Recipe can be made ahead of time. It’s a great option if you’re planning a holiday meal and want to reduce stress on the day, and leaves you plenty of time to make other holiday favorites like Sweet Potato Casserole and Mashed Potatoes.
- If you tried this recipe and loved it, please come back and give it a rating. We ❤️ hearing from you!
Nutrition (per serving)
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