Cream Cheese Corn Casserole is a decadent, comforting side dish featuring sweet corn mixed with cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and (optional) diced jalapeños!
If you're a fan of corn casseroles, you'll also enjoy ULTIMATE Cornbread Casserole, Slow Cooker Creamy Cheesy Corn, and Scalloped Corn!
Do you love cream cheese as much as I do? Are you still scrounging for a few last holiday side dish ideas? Today I'm sharing one of my very favorite ways to eat corn...Cream Cheese Corn Casserole! My mother-in-law gave me this recipe years ago, and it was love at first bite. Seriously, hand me this dish and a spoon and I would be perfectly content.
This Cream Cheese Corn finds its way onto my holiday table every year...multiple times per year, in fact, for every holiday. 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.
How to Make It
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. Ready for the oh-so-complicated steps?
- Melt.
- Mix.
- Pour.
- Sprinkle.
- Bake.
Your Cream Cheese Corn is DONE!
Variations
I typically add some finely minced, pickled jalapeños to this cream cheese 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 actually 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.
You know what else would be good with this side? Crispy, crumbled bacon. You know...because cream cheese corn isn't already decadent enough. 😉 I haven't actually made it with bacon yet, but it's on my to-try list.
Crock Pot Option
The other fun fact about this corn casserole recipe is that it can easily be modified for a crock pot. 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 cream cheese 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! >>> Crock Pot Creamy Cheesy Corn)
I'm telling you, folks...make this Cream Cheese Corn Casserole recipe. It just might top green bean casserole as the most popular veggie side dish on your table this Thanksgiving. Or Christmas. Or Easter! 😉
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 also think it's a really nice side dish for pampering another family when I want to help them out with a meal.
Cream Cheese 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 Holiday Side Dishes
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
- Holiday Honeycrisp Salad
- Make-Ahead Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Cream Cheese Corn Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed and at room temperature
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (18-ounce) bag frozen sweet corn, thawed
- Diced pickled jalapeños, to taste (OPTIONAL)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium pot set over low heat, melt cream cheese and butter. Stir in milk until mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in salt, corn, and (if using) jalapeños.
- Pour corn mixture into an 8- by 8-inch square (or 2-quart) baking dish. Sprinkle with grated cheddar. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Video
Notes
- An 18 ounce bag of frozen corn is equivalent to approximately 4 cups of corn, once you measure it out. You could also substitute two 15-ounce cans of corn (drained) in this recipe, which equal about 4 cups as well. That being said, I highly recommend using frozen corn instead of canned for better flavor in this recipe.
- The melted butter and cream cheese may seem lumpy as you try to stir them together, but once you stir in the milk, the mixture should become smooth.
Post originally published on November 18, 2013, and updated on April 1, 2019.
Cy
I just made this, but with a twist. I added diced rotisserie chicken and some cooked bacon. I don’t think it needs the milk. It is amazing!!! I had 2 helpings! Thanks for sharing this recipe!,
H.R.
Hi! If I double this recipe, will it fit in a 9x13 Pyrex pan?
Samantha Skaggs
Yes! 🙂
Louise
I'm thinking of making this for Easter and thought about adding diced chilies and roasted red peppers. I haven't tried this recipe yet so wasn't sure if this would be a good addition. What are your thoughts?
Samantha Skaggs
Hi Louise! I think that the recipe is well complemented by any type of pepper that you like! 🙂
Irene miller
I added green chilis and black beans
Erin
This recipe is amazing. I omitted the jalapenos, added a dash of cayenne pepper to replace the heat and added bacon bits which added a little smokey taste. It's soooooo good.
Martha Morrow
Can this be made a day ahead of time, refrigerated and then baked?
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Yes! 🙂 It just may need to come to room temperature first and/or may require a longer baking time to heat through.
Julie Summerhill
have you ever tried adding diced red peppers? was thinking red peppers, mild green chilies, onion and bacon...thoughts?
Samantha Skaggs
Hi Julie! You could definitely add those types of goodies to jazz up this recipe! You just might have to bake the casserole a little longer in order to soften any veggies to your liking (or you could pre-saute them). It's a great base recipe to customize to your liking. 🙂
Connie Moore
At 65, I still love looking at recipes . I am making this as my ONLY side dish. Thank you, and Easter blessings, to you
Connie Moore
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I hope it was a hit, Connie, and that you had a wonderful Easter. 🙂
Grant
I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 🙂
Rick Williams
I modified this to fit what was in my pantry. Trader joes frozen roasted corn, package of shredded Mexican cheese. Added a fresh chopped jalapeno and a 1/4 tsp of ground cumin. Rave reviews. Will make again!
JoanD
Making this yummy-looking recipe right now! Now that I'm into it, I have a question: Should the frozen corn be drained (of water/liquid)? Thank you!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Yes! Definitely drain the corn so the final dish isn't watery. Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Teresa Jayne
I have some shiitake mushrooms and wondered it that'd been tried.. My first time to make and for Christmas.. will follow the recipe for perfection Sounds amazing!
Tracey
Can this dish be made ahead?
Samantha Skaggs
You can definitely prep this cream cheese corn casserole ahead of time, Tracey! I'd let it come to room temperature while the oven preheats and then bake as directed...or it may need just a few extra minutes since you're starting cold. 🙂
Cheyenne Sutton
Hi, Samantha! Lady, your creamy cheesy corn casserole is absolutely fabulous. I took it to a church potluck last week, and we all loved it. I am making it again to take today. Thank you for such a delicious side dish recipe. I am looking forward to trying more of your recipes. Cheers!
Kate
Could this be made in a crock pot? I want to make it for a pool party and cook it/keep it warm by the pool. Looks delicious!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Hi Kate! Funny you should ask...I adapted this recipe to the slow cooker last fall! 😉
https://www.fivehearthome.com/2015/10/12/slow-cooker-creamy-cheesy-corn/
Have a fun pool party and enjoy!
Summer
This was delicious!
Allison Y
This is so delicious. I find myself wanting to eat it out of the pan before I even bake it in the oven. Soooo good!
I did not use jalapenos the first time and did the second. I added a touch of sugar, my frozen corn wasn't as sweet as I wanted it to be.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Glad you enjoyed this, Allison! I may or may not be guilty of eating it out of the pan before baking... 😉 And yes, you can definitely add sugar to taste to sweeten things up if you like!
Stephanie
Hi! Planning on making this on Christmas. I see you can use canned corn, which is what I have on hand. Have you tried it with canned? Is it better with frozen? I'll make a trip to the store if you think frozen tastes best!!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Hi Stephanie! I always make this recipe using frozen corn, but my mother-in-law makes it with canned corn and it's still yummy. I really think it's just a matter of personal preference. I think frozen corn tastes more similar to fresh corn in general, and canned corn has a slightly different (but not bad!) flavor. Both work in this recipe, though! The cream cheese and cheddar have a way of making you pay less attention to the corn anyway... 😉 Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy!
Tanya
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was fabulous! My kids asked if I could make it every Thanksgiving from now on. I will probably make it even more often than that, since it is not only delicious, but very easy to make! Thank you for a great recipe!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I'm so happy to hear that this is going to be a new Thanksgiving tradition, Tanya! I appreciate you coming back to let me know that it was a hit with your crew. 🙂 Hope that you have a very merry holiday season!
Adriane
I'm making this for Thanksgiving, but the guest list is over 30, so I want to double this. Have you ever tried that? Sometimes just doubling every ingredient causes a recipe to not come out as well, and I don't want that to happen...
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Hi Adriane! I've doubled this recipe before and it turns out just fine. 🙂 Enjoy, and happy Thanksgiving!