Easy Side Dish - Best Ever Creamy Corn Casserole

One of my favorite things, at every holiday table, is seeing which tasty side dish turns out to be that year’s star. The creamy mashed potatoes mixed with heavy cream? The moist corn bread? The decadent stuffing? Or perhaps it will turn out to be the cream corn casserole?

The original recipe for this cheesy corn casserole goes way back, I remember the first time I prepared this my son’s birthday had fallen on Thanksgiving. As every Thanksgiving dinner table requires a corn recipe, I decided I wanted to do something more than either creamed corn or whole cobs. I wanted this particular holiday meal to be something to remember – and of course what we all ended up remembering was the corn casserole, which became a fixture at each Thanksgiving and Christmas table thereafter. It’s long been one of our favorite side dishes.

What I love most about this particular recipe is how it can play a supporting role to virtually any main dish, from roasted pork shoulders to Thanksgiving turkey, to seared steaks. This is also an incredibly easy to prepare. At the heart of this creation lies the sweet corn itself, and while fresh is always best, you can definitely get away with using a can of whole kernel corn if that’s all you have available.

With just a little bit effort, you'll embark on a journey to create the perfect side dish that’s sure to become the star of your next holiday table. Best of all, this is an easy side dish to prepare. In as little as 10-15 minutes of prep time, less than an hour of bake time, you'll be on your way to savoring the sumptuousness of a dish that embodies the essence of creamy corn goodness, with a golden brown cracker crust.

In this blog post, we'll guide you through the steps to create this great side dish that embraces the natural sweetness of corn and elevates it to new heights. We'll show you how to select and handle fresh corn, ensuring that each kernel contributes to the creamy dreaminess of the casserole. We’ll also be providing you with a complete ingredient checklist, a printable recipe card, and some key variations to help you make this easy corn casserole recipe your own.

Ingredient Checklist – Everything You’ll Need

• 6 ears of fresh corn: You can also use about 3 cups of frozen corn kernels if fresh corn is not available.
  • Note: Fresh corn enhances the flavor and texture of the casserole.
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced:
  • Tip: Use a garlic press for quick and easy mincing.
  • Note: We’ll be sauteing the garlic together with the onions in a cast iron skillet.
• 1 sweet onion, chopped:
  • Substitution: You can use red onion or shallots for a slightly different flavor.
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped:
  • Tip: Use fresh thyme for the best flavor, but dried thyme can be substituted in a pinch.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil:
  • Tip: Extra virgin olive oil adds a rich flavor.
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter:
  • Tip: Let the butter come to room temperature before using for easier incorporation.
• 1/4 cup AP flour:
  • Substitution: Whole wheat flour can be used for a nuttier flavor.
• 1/8 cup cornmeal:
  • Tip: Cornmeal adds a pleasant texture to the casserole.
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese:
  • Tip: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste.
  • Substitution: Feel free to use the cheese of your choice, such as Monterey Jack, or even mix the cheeses together.
• 2 large eggs:
  • Note: Eggs help bind the casserole together.
  • Tip: I do recommend using the whole eggs, as you want enough egg to hold the casserole together.
• 1 cup whole milk:
  • Substitution: You can use 2% milk, but whole milk yields a creamier result.
  • Tip: You can increase the decadence and use heavy cream.
• Salt and pepper to taste:
  • Tip: Season gradually and taste as you go to achieve the desired flavor balance.
• Ritz Crackers, crumbled for topping (optional):
  • Tip: The crumbled crackers add a delightful crunch to the topping.
  • Note: See below for topping variations.

Preparation Notes:

• Corn Preparation: Fresh corn provides the best flavor, but frozen corn can be a convenient substitute.
• Thyme: Fresh thyme complements the dish, but dried thyme can be used in a pinch.
• Onion: Swap sweet onion for red onion or shallots based on your preference.
• Butter: Let the butter reach room temperature for easy blending.
• Milk: Whole milk creates a creamier texture, but 2% milk can be used.
• Crackers: The Ritz Cracker topping is optional but adds a delightful crunch.

Selecting Fresh Corn – What to Look For

1. Look for Vibrant Husks: Choose ears of corn with bright green, tightly wrapped husks. Avoid ears with dry, brown, or wilting husks.
2. Feel the Kernels: Gently press against the husk to feel the kernels inside. They should feel plump and firm.
3. Check the Silk: Peek under the husk to inspect the silk (the fine threads). Fresh corn will have moist, pale golden silk that's not dried out.
4. Skip Imperfections: Avoid ears with mold, brown spots, or visible wormholes.

Handling Fresh Corn – Romancing the Cob

1. Peel Back the Husk: To check the kernels, carefully peel back a small section of the husk at the top without removing it entirely.
2. Store Properly: Keep unpeeled corn in the refrigerator. Store them in a plastic bag or airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
3. Husk Just Before Cooking: Corn stays freshest with its husk intact. Remove the husk just before you're ready to cook.
4. Silk Removal: Peel away the husk and remove the silk by rubbing it gently with a damp cloth or brushing it off.
5. Removing Kernels: Stand the corn upright on a cutting board and carefully slice the kernels off the cob using a sharp knife. Place a damp paper towel under the cob to catch any flying kernels.
6. Use a Bundt Pan Trick: For easier kernel removal, place the bottom of the corn cob in the hole of a bundt pan. Slice downwards, and the kernels will fall into the pan.
7. Freezing Corn: If you have extra fresh corn, blanch and freeze the kernels for later use. They'll retain their flavor and texture.

By following these tips, you'll ensure that you're selecting the best-quality fresh corn and handling it properly to create a delicious Creamy Corn Casserole that's bursting with flavor.

Topping Variation – Get Creative

• Cheesy Herb Crunch:
  • Combine crushed Ritz Crackers with grated cheddar cheese and finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or basil.
  • Sprinkle this mixture over the casserole before baking for an extra layer of cheesy, herb-infused crunch.
• Savory Panko Crust:
  • Swap out the Ritz Crackers for panko bread crumbs mixed with a dash of garlic powder and dried oregano.
  • Drizzle melted butter over the panko topping for a golden, crispy crust.
• Nutty Delight:
  • Use crushed salted nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts, as the topping.
  • Mix the nuts with a touch of brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon for a sweet-savory twist.
• Herbed Bread Crumbs:
  • Make your own herbed breadcrumbs by blending stale bread with dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage.
  • Toast the herbed breadcrumbs before sprinkling them over the casserole.
• Cornbread Crumble:
  • Incorporate the corn theme by using crushed cornbread crackers as the topping.
  • The natural corn flavor will complement the creamy casserole beautifully.
• Sesame Snap:
  • Add an unexpected twist by mixing crushed sesame sticks with a touch of sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
  • This option offers a delightful nutty and savory crunch.
• Simple Herb Infusion:
  • Skip the crackers and opt for a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or dill.
  • These herbs will add a burst of fragrance and color to the casserole's surface.

Feel free to mix and match these variations to suit your taste preferences and to add a touch of uniqueness to your Creamy Corn Casserole. Experimenting with different toppings can bring new dimensions of flavor and texture to the dish!

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And that’s are our Creamy Corn Casserole. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow us on Newsbreak and MSN for even more great recipes and articles.

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below, we always love hearing from you.

Happy Cooking!

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