This Easy Creamy Scalloped Corn Casserole is pure comfort in a dish, bringing together the sweetness of corn with a rich, creamy texture and a hint of savory cheese. It’s the kind of side dish that disappears from the table in minutes, perfect for potlucks, holidays, or just a cozy weeknight meal.
The finished casserole is a golden, bubbly masterpiece, brimming with tender corn kernels and topped with a delightful layer of melted cheddar.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Sweet corn with a rich, creamy, and slightly tangy base, complemented by savory cheddar cheese.
- Texture: Tender corn kernels suspended in a moist, cake-like casserole with a slightly crisp golden topping.
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes (including resting time).
- Active Time: Approximately 15 minutes.
- Difficulty: Easy.
What You’ll Need
To create this delightful corn casserole, you’ll gather a collection of pantry staples and simple fresh ingredients. You’ll need both whole kernel corn and cream-style corn for texture and sweetness, a Jiffy corn muffin mix for that classic corn flavor and structure, creamy sour cream, rich melted butter, wholesome eggs, and of course, plenty of sharp cheddar cheese for that irresistible topping.
Ingredient Notes
- Whole Kernel Corn – Using drained whole kernel corn provides delightful pops of texture and a fresh corn flavor throughout the casserole.
- Cream-Style Corn – This ingredient lends its signature creaminess and a smoother corn flavor to the casserole’s base.
- Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – This convenient mix not only adds a subtle cornmeal flavor but also helps bind the ingredients together and gives the casserole its tender, cake-like structure.
- Sour Cream – For that essential tanginess and extra creamy moisture that makes this dish so comforting.
- Unsalted Butter – Melted butter enriches the batter and helps create a tender crumb in the finished casserole.
- Large Eggs – These act as binders, helping to hold all the delicious ingredients together in a cohesive casserole.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – A generous sprinkle of shredded sharp cheddar cheese creates a beautifully golden, slightly crisp, and wonderfully savory topping.
Add-ins and Substitutions
While this recipe is perfect as is, you can certainly get creative! For a touch of spice, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely diced jalapeño to the corn mixture before baking. If you love a little more savory depth, stirring in some crispy cooked bacon bits or crumbled cooked sausage would be delicious. For a different cheesy flavor, Gruyere or Monterey Jack cheese can be used in place of or in addition to the cheddar.
How to Make Easy Creamy Scalloped Corn Casserole
Preparing this wonderful corn casserole is wonderfully straightforward. You’ll begin by preheating your oven and getting your baking dish ready. Then, it’s simply a matter of combining all the wet and dry ingredients in a bowl until they’re just mixed, pouring the batter into your prepared dish, and letting the oven work its magic.
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by warming your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the drained whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, the contents of the Jiffy corn muffin mix, sour cream, melted butter, and the beaten eggs.
- Combine Gently: Stir everything together until all the ingredients are beautifully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix; a few gentle stirs are all you need.
- Transfer to Dish: Pour the corn mixture into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the bottom.
- First Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. The casserole will start to set up beautifully during this time.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: After 45 minutes, carefully remove the dish from the oven and generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the casserole are a lovely golden brown.
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Rest Before Serving: Once it’s perfectly baked, let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before you serve it. This allows it to firm up slightly, making it easier to dish out.
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Pro Tip: For the most even baking, ensure your oven rack is in the center position before you start.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overmix: Gently combining the ingredients helps ensure a tender and moist casserole. Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture.
- Check for Doneness: The casserole is ready when the center is set and the edges are golden brown. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean, with just moist crumbs attached.
- Grease Well: A properly greased baking dish is key to preventing the casserole from sticking, ensuring easy serving and cleanup.
- Resting is Important: Allowing the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking allows the internal structure to settle, making it easier to serve neat portions.
FAQs
- Can I use fresh corn instead of canned?
Yes, you can! You would need about 2 to 3 cups of fresh corn kernels, and you might want to blanch them briefly before adding them to the mixture. - Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the corn mixture and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Add the cheese just before baking. - How do I store leftovers?
Leftover Easy Creamy Scalloped Corn Casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
Serving Suggestions
This Easy Creamy Scalloped Corn Casserole is a wonderfully versatile side dish. It pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or turkey, grilled pork chops, or even a simple steak. For a vegetarian meal, it makes a hearty accompaniment to a fresh green salad or a bowl of hearty lentil soup. It’s also a classic addition to any holiday spread, alongside mashed potatoes and green bean casserole.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare the corn mixture, minus the cheese topping, up to 24 hours in advance. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, stir the mixture to ensure it’s well combined, spread it into your greased baking dish, and proceed with the baking instructions, adding the cheese during the final bake. This makes weeknight dinners or holiday prep a breeze!
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Easy Creamy Scalloped Corn Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
Description
This Easy Creamy Scalloped Corn Casserole is pure comfort in a dish, bringing together the sweetness of corn with a rich, creamy texture and a hint of savory cheese. It’s the kind of side dish that disappears from the table in minutes, perfect for potlucks, holidays, or just a cozy weeknight meal. The finished casserole is a golden, bubbly masterpiece, brimming with tender corn kernels and topped with a delightful layer of melted cheddar.
Ingredients
1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (14.75 oz) cream-style corn
1 box (8 oz) Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
Warm your oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing it.
In a generous mixing bowl, gently blend together the whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, melted butter, and beaten eggs.
Stir everything together until the ingredients are beautifully combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few gentle stirs are all you need.
Transfer the corn mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it smoothly with a spatula.
Bake without a cover for 45 minutes. Afterwards, generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the center is firm and the edges are beautifully golden.
Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving your delicious creation.
Notes
Don’t Overmix: Gently combining the ingredients helps ensure a tender and moist casserole. Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture.
Check for Doneness: The casserole is ready when the center is set and the edges are golden brown. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean, with just moist crumbs attached.
Grease Well: A properly greased baking dish is key to preventing the casserole from sticking, ensuring easy serving and cleanup.
Resting is Important: Allowing the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking allows the internal structure to settle, making it easier to serve neat portions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
