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This Cream Cheese Corn Casserole mixes sweet corn with decadent cream cheese for a crowd-pleasing side. Done in just 30 minutes, it's ideal for festive gatherings or weeknight family meals. Basic ingredients and straightforward preparation create this velvety, cheese-filled dish that always gets praised.
Why Make This Recipe
This dish works for everything - summer barbecues to Christmas dinner. The cream cheese gives it incredible smoothness, and you can toss in jalapeños for a bit of spice. Prep it beforehand when you're busy. It's easy to carry to gatherings and warms up wonderfully. Plus, you'll likely have all the simple ingredients already.
What You'll Need
- Cream Cheese: 8 ounces, room temperature - delivers that smooth, luxurious texture
- Butter: 4 tablespoons - creates depth and silkiness
- Milk: 1/3 cup whole milk - ensures a velvety sauce base
- Corn: 18 ounces frozen sweet corn, defrosted
- Seasonings: 1/2 teaspoon salt, fresh black pepper to taste
- Cheese: 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar for topping
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños for spice
How to Make It
- Prep Everything
- Warm oven to 350°F. Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature. Make sure corn is fully defrosted.
- Create the Base
- Slowly melt cream cheese with butter in pot on low heat. Mix in milk for smoothness. Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix Your Corn
- Fold in the defrosted corn and jalapeños if you want them. Make sure everything gets covered in the creamy mix.
- Cook Until Finished
- Transfer to 8x8 baking dish. Scatter cheddar on top. Bake 20 minutes until bubbling and cheese melts.
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Ideal for Special Occasions
This dish makes holiday cooking so much easier. You can fix it a day early - just wrap and store in the fridge, then bake when you need it. It goes great with turkey, ham, or any holiday main. For bigger family dinners, make twice as much in a 9x13 dish and cook 5-10 minutes longer.
Ways to Change It Up
Mix in extra stuff to make the dish your own. Throw in some diced bell peppers for brightness, green chiles for warmth, or crispy bacon pieces on top. Swap cheddar for pepper jack if you want more kick. For a south-of-the-border feel, add some taco seasoning. Just keep the basic cream cheese mix the same for the right creaminess.
Great for Sharing
This dish travels really well, so it's fantastic for community gatherings and family meetups. The cream cheese keeps everything moist, and it tastes good warm or room temp. Take it in your baking dish with foil covering the top. If you want, you can warm it up for 10 minutes at your host's place.
Slow Cooker Version
No space in your oven? Your slow cooker works too. Mix all ingredients except the cheddar cheese in the pot. Let it cook on low for 2-3 hours, giving it a stir halfway. Sprinkle cheese on top for the last 30 minutes. Use the warm setting during parties - it stays creamy for hours.
Storage Tips
Store any extras in the fridge with a cover for up to 3 days. Warm single portions in the microwave, stirring once in the middle. You might need to add a little milk to keep it creamy. For the best taste, just warm what you'll eat right then. Don't try freezing this dish - it won't turn out right, so plan to finish it within a few days.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use canned corn?
Yep! Grab two 15-oz cans, pour off all the liquid. Frozen has fresher vibes, but both work. Some combine them for a mix of textures. Fresh works too—slice up about 4 cups' worth. Just keep it dry to avoid soggy results.
- → How do I make it spicy?
Begin with 1 tablespoon of chopped pickled jalapeños. You can always add more if you want, but you can't remove it! For fresh, remove seeds for medium heat. Cayenne or hot sauce makes it spicier. Green chiles are more mellow but still zesty.
- → Can I make it ahead?
Mix the ingredients the night before and seal it tight in the fridge. Let it sit out a bit before baking or the inside stays cold. You can prep everything early, then mix just before baking. Many double it up—freeze leftovers for next time. Don't add toppings until right before baking.
- → Need dairy-free version?
Use dairy-free cream cheese and cheese substitutes. It won't be the same texture, but it'll still be tasty. Coconut milk also gives a rich feel. Cashew puree can add creaminess too. Always double-check labels as hidden dairy can sneak in!
Conclusion
Fan of creamy sides? Whip up corn muffins or a cheesy dip with a kick. Another good idea is grilling your corn, then slathering it with spiced butter. So many options for that rich, corn flavor!