Creamy Cheesy Corn Casserole

Cream cheese adds richness to sweet corn in this comforting Creamy Cheesy Corn Casserole side dish, with extra flavor from sharp cheddar cheese and (optional) diced jalapeños!

Do you love cream cheese as much as I do? Are you still scrounging for a few last Thanksgiving side dish ideas? Today I’m sharing one of my very favorite ways to eat corn. My mother-in-law gave me this recipe years ago, and it was love at first bite. Seriously, give me this dish and a spoon and I would be perfectly content.

This corn casserole finds its way onto my Thanksgiving table every year. I also typically make it as a side dish when I take a meal to another family, whether someone is ill or they just welcomed a new baby. It’s always a hit, and I’m always asked for the recipe.

But you know what? It’s embarrassingly easy to make. Like, it almost shouldn’t count as a recipe. Yes, one of my favorite things about this dish, aside from how delicious it is, is how quick it is to throw together. The few required ingredients are probably already in your kitchen, and the whole shebang is ready in no time. Melt, mix, pour, sprinkle, bake, DONE.

I typically add some finely minced, pickled jalapeños to this cream cheese-laden corn for a bit more flavor and to break up the richness. But there are no jalapeños in these photos, you might be thinking to your ever-observant self. Well, these pictures are depicting a dish of creamy corn that I made for my son’s Thanksgiving feast at preschool. And since, in my experience, 3- and 4-year-olds prefer to avoid random green bits floating around in their food, I left out the jalapeños this time.

I usually do include jalapeños, though, and by using the mild variety, they’re not even spicy. But if you like a little heat, feel free to add some diced hot jalapeños. Alternatively, if you enjoy green chiles, stirring in a 7 ounce can of diced green chiles would also lend flavor to this corn without too much spice.

My point here? This is your corn casserole, so jazz it up with peppers as you see fit, or leave it plain if you prefer your cream cheese pure and unadulterated.

The other fun fact about this casserole is that it can easily be modified into a crock pot recipe. I would recommend melting together the butter, cream cheese, and milk in a pot on the stove for a quick start to the dish. But then you can transfer your cream cheese mixture to the slow cooker, stir in the salt, pepper, corn, and (if using) jalapeños, and cook on low while you prepare the rest of your meal. When it’s time to serve, just scoop some creamy corn onto each plate and top with a sprinkle of cheddar, which will melt right over the top. (EDITED TO UPDATE: I’ve since adapted this recipe to the slow cooker HERE!)

You know what else would be good with this corn? Crispy, crumbled bacon. You know…because cream cheese isn’t already decadent enough. I haven’t actually made it with bacon yet, but it’s on my to-try list.

I’m telling you, folks…make this corn and it just might top the green bean casserole as the most popular veggie side dish on your table this Thanksgiving. If you’re a fan of cream cheese, it will make you positively swoon. It’s a bit rich to go on the everyday dinner menu at our house, but I love making it for holidays and special occasions, and I think it’s a really nice side dish for pampering another family when I want to help them out with a meal.

Creamy Cheesy Corn is simple, it’s yummy, it’s a family favorite around here…and I hope it will become a favorite of your family, too!

♥More Thanksgiving inspiration…

Ultimate Round-Up of Thanksgiving Recipes

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Holiday Honeycrisp Salad

Bacon Green Bean Bundles with Brown Sugar Glaze

Mini Pecan Pies

See all of our RECIPES <<< here!

And see all of our PRINTABLES <<< here!

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