The Absolute Best Creamy Baked Corn (A Family Favorite!)
Discover the ultimate creamy baked corn recipe! This easy, cheesy corn casserole is the perfect side dish for holidays and weeknight dinners. With simple ingredients and just 10 minutes of prep, you'll have a crowd-pleasing dish every time.
Let me tell you about a dish that steals the show every single time I make it. Whether it’s a bustling Thanksgiving table, a summer BBQ, or just a cozy weeknight dinner, this creamy baked corn is the recipe everyone asks for. For years, I searched for the perfect corn casserole—one that wasn’t too eggy like a pudding or too dry like cornbread. I wanted something rich, decadent, and packed with sweet corn flavor.
After a lot of tweaking in my own kitchen, this is the recipe that emerged. It’s a simple, glorious combination of sweet corn kernels suspended in a velvety, cheesy sauce, all baked until golden and bubbly. It’s the ultimate comfort food side dish. This recipe is practically foolproof, and I’m going to walk you through every step. You’ve got this!
Quick Recipe
- Preparation Time:
10M - Cooking Time:
45M - Total Time:
55M - Type of dish: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
- Recipe Yield: 8 servings
- Calories: 350 kcal per serving (approximate)
Why This Recipe Just Works
| Key Takeaway | Why It Matters |
| Incredibly Easy to Make | With just 10 minutes of prep, you can have this dish in the oven. No complicated techniques, just simple mixing. |
| Uses Simple Ingredients | You probably have most of these ingredients in your fridge and pantry already. No fancy shopping trip is required. |
| A True Crowd-Pleaser | Kids and adults love it. It’s the first side dish to disappear at every gathering. |
| Perfect for Make-Ahead | A total game-changer for holidays! You can assemble it ahead of time and bake it right before serving. |
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts about this creamy baked corn is its straightforward ingredient list. We’re using kitchen staples to create something truly special.
- Frozen Corn: I find that frozen sweet corn gives the best texture and flavor. It’s picked at peak freshness and holds its shape well during baking. You’ll need a 16-ounce bag. No need to thaw it first!
- Butter: We use unsalted butter as the base for our sauce. It adds richness and flavor.
- Cream Cheese: This is the secret weapon! It melts down to create an incredibly creamy, tangy sauce that you just can’t get from milk alone.
- Heavy Cream: This adds another layer of luscious texture and ensures the sauce is silky smooth.
- Sugar: Just a little bit of sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the corn. It doesn’t make the dish taste like dessert; it just makes the corn taste more like itself.
- Salt and Black Pepper: For seasoning and balancing all that richness.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is our thickener. Just a couple of tablespoons will help the sauce set up perfectly so it’s not watery.
- Shredded Cheese (Optional but Recommended): A little shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack on top adds a savory, golden-brown crust. It’s the perfect finish to this delicious corn casserole.
How to Make the Best Creamy Baked Corn (Step-by-Step)
This comes together so quickly. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a perfect side dish ready for the oven in minutes.
Step 1: Get Your Oven and Dish Ready
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is an important step! Putting your casserole into a properly heated oven ensures it cooks evenly.
- Next, grease a 2-quart baking dish (an 8×8 inch or similar-sized casserole dish works perfectly). You can use butter or non-stick cooking spray. This prevents the casserole from sticking, making serving and cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Create the Creamy Sauce Base
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted, add the cubed cream cheese.
Whisk them together until the cream cheese is mostly melted and smooth. Don’t worry if there are a few small lumps; they will melt away as you add the other ingredients. This initial step of melting the fats together is what creates that velvety foundation for our sauce.
Step 3: Combine All Ingredients
- Now, turn the heat down to low. Whisk in the heavy cream, sugar, salt, and pepper. Continue whisking until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for about one minute. This cooks out the raw flour taste and allows it to start thickening the sauce.
- Finally, turn off the heat and stir in the entire bag of frozen corn. Mix until every kernel is coated in that gorgeous, creamy sauce.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
- Pour the corn mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. If you’re using cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the top.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges are bubbling and the top is lightly golden brown. The center should be set, not jiggly.
Step 5: Let It Rest (This is Important!)
I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but you must let the casserole rest for at least 10 minutes after you take it out of the oven. This allows the creamy sauce to set up and thicken slightly. If you skip this step, it will be a bit runny. Patience pays off!
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Corn Casserole
Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that take this dish from great to absolutely unforgettable.
Can I Use Fresh or Canned Corn?
Yes, you can!
- Fresh Corn: If it’s summer and you have fresh corn on the cob, absolutely use it! You’ll need about 3 to 4 ears to get the 3 cups of kernels needed for this recipe.
- Canned Corn: You can also use two 15-ounce cans of corn. Just be sure to drain them very well. Excess water can make the casserole runny.
Fun Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic base for getting creative. Here are a few of our family’s favorite additions:
- Spicy: Add one finely diced jalapeño or a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles for a little kick.
- Smoky: Stir in 4-6 slices of crispy, crumbled bacon.
- Extra Cheesy: Mix a half-cup of shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese directly into the corn mixture before baking.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
This is the perfect make-ahead holiday recipe! You can assemble the entire casserole (without the cheese topping) up to 2 days in advance. Just cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time since you’re starting with a cold dish. Sprinkle with cheese before it goes in the oven.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven.
A Side Dish You’ll Be Proud to Share
This creamy baked corn is more than just a recipe; it’s a dish that brings people together. It’s reliable, comforting, and always a hit. Having a go-to, stress-free side dish like this in your back pocket is one of the best tools a home cook can have.
I hope you and your family love it as much as mine does. Happy cooking!
