Corn casserole is a rich, comforting side dish that has earned a permanent spot on holiday tables and family gatherings alike. Sweet, savory, and creamy, this easy-to-make dish strikes the perfect balance between cornbread and pudding, making it a favorite alongside roast turkey, ham, or barbecue.
The beauty of corn casserole lies in its simplicity. It starts with a base of sweet corn—usually a combination of whole kernel corn and creamed corn—which adds both texture and natural sweetness. Mixed with cornbread muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter, the result is a batter that bakes into a custardy, soft center with a golden, slightly crisp top.
What makes this dish so beloved is its versatility. You can keep it simple or dress it up to fit the occasion. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese for a richer, cheesier bite, or add green chilies for a hint of spice. Crispy bacon, sautéed onions, or fresh herbs like chives and parsley can also be folded into the batter to add savory notes that complement the sweetness of the corn.
As it bakes, the casserole develops a deliciously crispy edge while remaining creamy and tender in the center. It’s the kind of side dish that disappears quickly at the dinner table, with guests often going back for seconds. Best of all, it requires minimal prep—just mix everything in one bowl, pour into a casserole dish, and bake until golden brown.
Corn casserole pairs beautifully with just about anything. It’s a staple for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, but it also shines next to smoked brisket, fried chicken, or grilled ribs. For drinks, try serving it with a crisp white wine, a light beer, or even sweet iced tea to complement its rich, buttery flavor.
Whether you’re serving it for the holidays or a casual Sunday dinner, corn casserole is one of those timeless dishes that brings comfort, flavor, and a touch of nostalgia to every meal.
Ingredients
- 1 can whole kernel corn drained
- 1 can cream-style corn
- 1 package cornbread mix 8.5 ounces
- 1 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup butter melted
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, stir together the whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, and cornbread mix.
- Add in the sour cream and melted butter, and mix until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Optional: During the last 10 minutes of baking, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top, if using.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Eh, I don’t know. Mine turned out watery… maybe I did something wrong?
I added jalapenos for a kick! 🔥 Amazing! Will make again!
Jalapenos sound like a great addition! I love spice in my dishes. Can’t wait to try this! 🌶️
This corn casserole is the best! So easy to make and so delish!
I dont get it… bland. Maybe I overbaked. Also 9×13 is huge lol.
Yeah I can see how it’d feel bland—corn + cornbread mix can use a little help. I usually add a pinch of salt/pepper, maybe some garlic powder, and I always bake a few minutes less (like 40) because 45 can dry it out.
9×13 is basically a casserole buffet 😅 If yours was overbaked, the center gets drier and it tastes “flat.” Try covering with foil halfway next time or only go till it’s just set. Also, cheddar makes it way more flavorful.
Casserole or not, I likey! I’ll take it for my next potluck.
I tried this with jalapenos instead of cheese. It was spicy, but my kids loved it!
I don’t see how this is a casserole… It’s just corn mush. Disappointed.
But it’s literally just corn mixed together. What makes it a casserole? Not convinced. 🤨
I think it looks delicious! Just because it’s not a traditional casserole doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Corn mush can be great!
I dunno, it was kinda bland for me. Maybe I should’ve added more spices?
Nah, corn is not a vegtable. I think it’s like a grass? Not eating this. 😒
Actually, corn is a grain, but it can be classified as a vegetable too in cooking. Give this recipe a try! It’s delish! 😋
Why you be so sure it’s not a vegtable? I think it okay to eat corn in casseroles. My mama made it for me all the time.
Corn? Really? Who thinks this is a good idea? Not my thing. 🤷♂️
I dunno, it was kind of bland… Maybe it needs more spices or something? 🤷♂️
Mine burned on the bottom. Any tips?
This was a hit at our family gathering! So easy to make and delicious. Will definitely make again!
Tasted good but took way longer to cook than you said. Maybe my oven is off?
I made it without the cheddar and it was still delish! Thx for sharing!
That’s awesome! I love that you can customize recipes. No cheddar, no problem! 😄
Really? No cheddar? I thought that was the key ingredient! How did it taste without it?
This recipe is versatile! I added diced green peppers too. Tasted awesome!
Sounds delicious! I might try adding jalapeños next time for a kick!
I don’t know about adding peppers… feels like it might not fit the recipe. Just corn is good enough!
Corn casserole is sooo underrated. Good for potlucks! Will be making this every week now! Yum!
5 stars!!! This is going to be a staple at our family gatherings!
Yummm!! So creamy and comforting! Made it for Thanksgiving, and everyone kept asking for seconds.
Creamy? But isn’t cornbread supposed to be dry? Just sounds too weird for me.
This casserole sounds amazing! I’ll definitely try it for my next family gathering. Thanks for sharing!
I forgot the butter and it turned out pretty good still, so I guess it’s hard to mess up!
I used frozen corn because I didn’t have canned, and honestly it still worked. Just drained it well. Would recommend!
Corn casserole is posh food for hipsters! My grandma used to make a better one, but this ain’t bad. 🤔
This is the best corn casserole I’ve ever made! My family loved it!
I agree, this recipe is a hit! Made it for my friends last week and they couldn’t stop talking about it. So creamy and delicious!
Really? I didn’t think it would taste that good. Corn casserole sounds kinda boring. 🤔
OMG! This is life-changing! Just add bacon bits though, trust me!
what r u doing?? this is not a recipe, just mix corn. smh
This is soooo good! My family loved it, especially my kids. They couldn’t get enough! 🥰
Great recipe! I added some jalapeños for a kick. Will definitely make again!
YUM! My kids loved it! 🥰 Can’t wait to make it again for our family gathering.
Pretty good comfort food, but mine was a little dry after 45 minutes. Next time I’ll watch it closer or bake covered for part of the time. Still tasted great.
Pretty simple! But I don’t cook much…is this supposed to look this way? 😬
Isn’t cornbread mix just a scam? Why not just make it from scratch?
Good but kinda sticky. Didn’t rise much. Maybe I did it wrong.
I followed it and it was… okay. Like, edible casserole energy. I think I overbaked it by like 10 minutes (oops) so it dried out. Still, the flavor is good.
“Edible casserole energy” is so real 😄 Sorry about the overbake—next time I’d pull it as soon as the center is just set, not wait for extra browning. Glad the flavor still came through!
This casserole is amazing! So easy to make and delicious. I added some jalapeños for a kick! 🌶️
Why do you need sour cream? I just used more butter. It was okay.
I dunno, I think butter is just fine! Sour cream sounds like a gimmick to me.
Sour cream adds creaminess that butter alone can’t provide. Trust me, it makes a difference!
This was so easy and delicious! My whole family loved it!
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about using cornbread mix, but it worked. The sour cream makes it creamy. Would definitely make again for holidays.
Corn and cheese? That don’t sound right! But I might try it anyway.
The recipe was fine, but I think it needs more seasoning or something. It was a bit bland for my taste.
Question: does it really need that much corn bread mix? Mine came out a little thick and almost stodgy in the middle. Could be my oven runs hot, but I’d check bake time or add a splash of milk.
I think the 8.5 oz box is pretty standard for the texture here—corn + sour cream + melted butter thickens a lot. If yours was stodgy, try adding 2–4 tbsp milk (or even extra butter/sour cream) just to loosen it, and bake time-wise I’d start checking at ~40 min. Also make sure you’re using a “set” center, not raw-looking but also not dry.
Could be your oven running hot, but honestly I’d say cut the cornbread mix a little. Like 1/2 the amount? Mine came out dry and like rubber in the middle once—next time I used less mix and it was better. Also I stirred the corn a lot more than the recipe says, idk if that matters.