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.
Made this tonight and it turned out super creamy and the top was perfectly golden. Used the cheddar and it definitely adds a nice salty bite.
Yes!! That salty bite from cheddar is exactly what makes it hit. I also love how the top gets so golden—this is definitely a comfort-food win.
Good to hear it came out creamy. I tried one time but mine was kinda dry—think I might’ve baked it too long or used the wrong kind of cornbread mix. How long did you let it sit before serving?
This was mid. Too much corn flavor for me, and I couldn’t get the top to brown nicely. Maybe my cheese would’ve helped but I skipped it.
Aw man, sorry it didn’t hit for you. Cornbread mix can be pretty dominant—next time try cutting back the whole-kernel can a bit or adding a little extra cheese to tame the sweetness. Also, every oven runs different; I usually broil 1–2 minutes at the end to get that top browning.
I thought it came out great but I always add the cheddar. Without it the top stays kinda pale, and yeah… if you skip cheese it’s like why even bake it 😅. What cornbread mix brand did you use?
Mine didn’t really set in the middle even after 45 minutes—maybe my oven runs hot or I used a different cornbread mix. Taste was fine though.
Corn casserole? What’s next, spaghetti pizza???
I made this and forgot the butter! It still turned out decent tho, haha. Just saying for anyone else forgetful like me.
That’s impressive! I’ve forgotten ingredients too, but yours sounds good without it. Glad it worked out for you! 😄
I followed it pretty much exactly, but mine came out a little dry around the edges. Next time I’ll maybe melt a bit more butter or check a few minutes earlier.
That sounds like a bake-time/oven-hotness thing. I’d try tenting it with foil for the last 10-15 minutes so the edges don’t overdo. Also, make sure your baking dish isn’t too shallow—depth helps keep it from drying out.
Dry around the edges happens to me too 😅 I think either the cornbread mix needs more moisture (like a splash of milk) or the butter amount should be closer to 3/4 cup. Next time just check at 35-40 min, not only when it looks golden.
Corn casserole is my jam! Super easy to make and so comforting. I added jalapeños for a kick!
350F for 45 minutes… sounds about right I guess. I forgot to drain the corn once, and it was wetter than expected. Still edible though.
Wait… whole kernel corn is supposed to be drained? I usually just dump it in and it’s fine 🤷♂️. Maybe my oven runs hot though. Still sounds yummy, wish I had cheddar on top.
Yep—350°F for 45 min usually nails it. I’ve definitely had it get a little wetter when the whole kernel corn wasn’t fully drained, but that’s still totally workable. Next time just blot/drain and you’re good!
This tastes like holiday comfort food. The sour cream really helps—my family asked for seconds, which is rare.
Five stars! I brought it to potluck and everyone asked for the recipe. Kids went back for seconds. So good.
Made this last night—super easy and it came out golden and creamy. The cornbread mix really helps it set up nicely. Will definitely make again.
Yesss! That “golden and creamy” description is exactly what I’m hoping for. I’m adding this to my rotation—thanks for the confirmation that the cornbread mix really sets it up.
Just followed the recipe but mine turned out way too soggy. What did I do wrong??
I didn’t have cheddar so I skipped it—still tasted great. Texture was a little soft the first few minutes but firmed up as it cooled like the recipe said.
I added some jalapenos for a kick and it was bomb! Can’t believe how easy this was.
Sounds amazing! I’m gonna try that too. I love spicy food!
Really? Jalapenos in this? I don’t know if that would work. I thought this was a sweet dish!
This was so good! My family loved it! Will definitely make it again.
Easy and cozy. I’m not usually a casserole person but this one is hard to mess up. 45 minutes was right on the money for my oven.
Totally agree—this feels cozy without being fussy. I like that it’s hard to mess up, and 45 min really is the sweet spot in most ovens.
Five stars for effort but I cooked it at 375 by mistake (oops). It still turned out alright—golden and set. Recipe’s forgiving, I guess. :/
Easy to make! I added jalapeños for a kick! 🔥
Best combo ever! Cornbread and cheese, what more could you want? 😍 Just try it!
Good recipe but can someone tell me if I can use frozen corn instead? I always mixed up these kinds.
I tried this but it came out kinda mushy. Maybe I didn’t cook it long enough? Not sure if I liked it.
I think it could be mushy if you didn’t let it bake long enough. Next time, try leaving it in the oven a bit longer.
OMG this is like a hug in food form! So creamy! 🤤
Absolutely! I made it last night and it was a hit! Everyone loved the creaminess! 😍
Made this for a potluck and it was gone fast. Super easy, and the golden top is legit. I added extra cheddar and it turned out even better.
So easy and it actually tastes like something from a family dinner table. The top gets perfectly golden. I used the cheddar and it was a win.
Mine didn’t get golden like that… I think I baked like 30 minutes only because I was hungry 😅 Still tasted fine though. Next time I’ll follow the 45 minutes.
Yes! This is exactly what I wanted—comfort-food vibes but still effortless. I used cheddar too and the top really got that golden crust.
Pretty good comfort food. I did 40 minutes instead of 45 because my oven runs hot—still set in the middle. Next time I might add a pinch of salt since the mix is salty.
Glad it worked for you! My oven runs hot too, so I love that you trusted the “middle is set” cue instead of the timer. I’d be cautious on the salt though—between the cornbread mix and the cheese (if you used it) it can get salty fast.
40 minutes?? Mine woulda been raw then lol. Also I don’t think it needs any more salt—the cornbread mix already salty. Did you drain the corn all the way? Kinda changes it.
Not sure about calling it “casserole” when it’s basically corn + cornbread mix. Flavor is okay, but it feels heavy and salty with the cheese. I might cut the cheddar next time.
I don’t get why people love this so much. It’s just cornbread with corn! Seems overrated to me.
I totally disagree! This dish is creamy and comforting. It’s not just corn, it’s a hug in a casserole dish! 🤗
Mine turned out kinda dry even though I baked for 45 minutes. I think my butter measurement was off? Next time I’ll check the cornbread mix package directions.
I followed everything but the cornbread mix didn’t really “bake up” the way I expected. Still ate it all, but I was hoping for more texture.
I forgot to add butter and I think it turned out fine. Just saying.
The instructions are straightforward, and I like that you just mix everything and bake. No mystery steps—love that.
I thought 350°F would be too low but the center actually set nicely. I let it cool 10 minutes like suggested and it held together.
So easy! I was able to whip this up while juggling kids. Will definitely make again!
I really wanted to like this, but it came out too dry. Maybe I overbaked it?
Overbaking can definitely dry it out! Maybe try reducing the time by a few minutes next time. Good luck!
My grandma would approve! I added a little jalapeño like she always does and it gave it a nice kick. Super creamy.
I’m not sure about the jalapeño… corn casserole is already sweet-ish, so that spice might mess it up. Still, if it’s creamy and golden, maybe I’ll try just a little next time.
Love that jalapeño idea—jalapeño + cheddar is such a good combo. Glad it turned out creamy!
Pretty easy and tasty, not gonna lie. I’m not a big fan of sweet-ish cornbread mixes but this was balanced with the sour cream. Would probably add a pinch of salt or some pepper next time.
Quick and easy. Perfect dish for potlucks 🙂
This was a total hit at our family gathering. It was gone in minutes! Definitely making it again!
Not sure about the cornbread mix: mine had a weird grainy texture. Flavor was okay but texture wasn’t my thing.
I dunno… I mean it sounds good, but like, corn in casserole? Is that a thing? I’m not sure about this.