Corn Casserole Recipe – 10 Expert Secrets Revealed

This outstanding corn casserole recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients. Follow our tested guide with pro tips the whole family will love.

🌽 Quick Answer: This corn casserole recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep. Mix Jiffy corn muffin mix with eggs, milk, cream, and two types of corn, then bake at 400°F for 45–50 minutes until golden and set. It’s the easiest, creamiest holiday side dish you’ll ever make.

Corn Casserole Recipe is a flavorful homemade dish with tested, reliable results.
The typical preparation time is 10 minutes.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • ⏱️ 10-minute prep — this corn casserole recipe needs only 4 simple steps from bowl to oven.
  • 🌽 Triple creaminess — frozen corn, creamed corn, and heavy cream create an ultra-rich texture.
  • 🎄 Perfect holiday side — ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinners.
  • 🔬 316 calories per serving — feeds 8 people with balanced macros.
  • ❄️ Freezer-friendly — make it ahead and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Vegetarian & beginner-friendly — no fancy skills or tools needed.

Golden corn casserole recipe baked in a buttered dish with chives on top
Golden, creamy corn casserole fresh from the oven

Why This Corn Casserole Recipe Works Every Time

I’ve tested dozens of baked corn casserole recipes over the years. Most fall flat — they’re either too dry or too soupy. This one nails the texture every single time.

📝 Chef’s Note: This corn casserole recipe has been adapted and refined for reliable home kitchen results.
The key is proper technique and fresh ingredients.

The secret is the triple-corn approach. Frozen corn kernels add sweet pops of texture. Creamed corn delivers a rich, custard-like base. And the Jiffy mix provides structure with built-in leavening. Together they create a dish that sits perfectly between cornbread and corn pudding.

The Culinary Institute of America confirms that “salting food in layers throughout cooking enhances flavor more than salting at the end.” This recipe builds seasoning right into the batter — salt, paprika, and pepper meld with every bite instead of sitting on the surface.

Best of all, it takes just 10 minutes of active prep. You’ll spend more time waiting for it to bake than actually making it. For busy holiday cooks, that’s a game-changer.

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The Science Behind the Perfect Creamy Texture

Eggs are the structural backbone. As they heat, proteins unfold and bond together, creating a custard-like network that holds everything in place. They coagulate between 144°F and 158°F, setting the casserole firmly without making it rubbery.

The combination of whole milk and heavy cream matters. Milk provides proteins while cream adds fat. Fat coats egg proteins and slows coagulation, giving you a creamier, more forgiving texture. Think of it like built-in insurance against dryness.

Creamed corn acts as a binding agent. It’s packed with starch from the corn’s own juices. That starch disperses throughout the batter and thickens as it heats — fighting the dreaded “soggy middle” problem. Frozen corn does the opposite: the intact kernels stay juicy and sweet, providing texture contrast.

That golden-brown surface is delicious chemistry. At 400°F, sugars and proteins undergo the Maillard reaction, creating hundreds of complex flavor compounds. The tablespoon of sugar accelerates this process. As Serious Eats explains, even small amounts of sugar dramatically boost browning.

A Professional Chef Survey found that “proper mise en place reduces cooking time by an average of 20%.” Get everything measured before you start. For more baking fundamentals, King Arthur Baking offers excellent technique guides.

Corn casserole recipe ingredients arranged for mise en place

Complete Ingredients With Notes

Yield: 8 servings  |  Prep: 10 min  |  Bake: 45–50 min  |  Total: 1 hour 10 min

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled — plus softened butter for greasing. Cool it so it won’t scramble the eggs.
  • 1 (8.5-oz.) package Jiffy corn muffin mix — the classic backbone with leavening built in.
  • 1 tbsp plus 1 1/2 tsp granulated sugar — boosts browning and balances savory elements.
  • 2 large eggs — room temperature works best for even mixing.
  • 2/3 cup whole milk — full-fat is essential for richness.
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream — the triple-creaminess factor.
  • 2 cups frozen corn, thawed and drained — pat dry with paper towels to avoid a wet center.
  • 1 (15-oz.) can creamed corn — don’t drain! The liquid is part of the recipe.
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt — use Diamond Crystal; reduce to 1/2 tsp if using Morton’s.
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika — warm color and mild pepper flavor.
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper — sharpens the corn sweetness.
  • 2 tbsp sliced chives — fresh, added after baking for color and bite.


Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Dish

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with softened butter, coating every surface including the corners. In a large bowl, whisk the Jiffy mix and sugar until only a few lumps remain.

Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, and cooled melted butter. Pour wet into dry and stir until just combined. Fold in drained corn, creamed corn, salt, paprika, and pepper. Don’t overmix — small lumps keep the texture tender.

Corn casserole recipe batter poured into a buttered baking dish

Step 3: Bake Until Golden

Pour the batter into the prepared dish and smooth the top. Bake on the middle rack for 45–50 minutes. The edges will puff and pull away slightly. The top should be deep golden brown.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven and top with sliced chives. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Resting lets the custard finish setting so slices hold together beautifully.

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Corn Casserole Recipe


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  • Author: Frutameal
  • Total Time: 1h 10min
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

This baked corn casserole combines Jiffy mix blended with eggs, two types of corn, and whole milk for a side that’s a cross between corn pudding and cornbread.


Ingredients

Scale

1/4 c. unsalted butter, melted, cooled, plus more, softened, for pan
1 (8.5-oz.) package Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 tbsp. plus 1 1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2/3 c. whole milk
1/3 c. heavy cream
2 c. frozen corn, thawed, drained
1 (15-oz.) can creamed corn
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. sweet paprika
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. sliced chives


Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°. Grease a 2-qt. baking dish with softened butter. In a large bowl, whisk Jiffy mix and granulated sugar until a few lumps remain.

In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk eggs, milk, cream, and melted butter. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Stir in thawed corn, creamed corn, salt, paprika, and pepper. 

Pour corn mixture into prepared dish. Bake casserole until set and top is golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes.

Top with chives. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Substitution: For a dairy-free version, use coconut oil or vegan butter in place of regular butter.

  • Prep Time: 10min
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: vegetarian, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, comfort food, side dish
  • Method: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 316 Calories
  • Sugar: 7
  • Sodium: 474
  • Fat: 16
  • Carbohydrates: 36
  • Fiber: 4
  • Protein: 7

6 Pro Tips for the Best Results

🌡️ Room Temp Eggs

Cold eggs can seize the melted butter. Set eggs out 30 minutes before mixing for smoother batter.

🌽 Drain Corn Well

Press thawed kernels in a strainer and pat dry. Less water means a cleaner, firmer set.

🔥 Use Center Rack

This balances top browning and center heat. The dome will color evenly without burning.

🧈 Generous Butter

Don’t skimp on greasing the dish. It creates crispy, caramelized edges — the best part.

⏰ Don’t Overbake

Check at 40 minutes. A slight jiggle in the center is fine — carryover heat finishes the job.

📐 High Altitude

Above 3,500 feet, reduce sugar by 1 tsp, increase milk by 2 tbsp, and raise temp to 425°F.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

❌ Mistake ⚠️ Why It’s Bad ✅ Fix
Overmixing the batter Activates gluten, making it tough and dense Stir until just combined; lumps are okay
Not draining frozen corn Excess water creates a mushy, watery center Thaw fully and pat dry with paper towels
Opening the oven too early Temperature drops cause the center to sink Wait at least 35 minutes before checking
Cutting immediately Starches haven’t set, so slices collapse Rest 10–15 minutes after removing from oven
Using low-fat milk Less fat means drier, less flavorful results Always use whole milk and heavy cream

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Variations & Substitutions

Sliced corn casserole recipe served on a plate with chives

🧀 Cheesy version: Fold in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar. Add 1/2 cup on top during the last 10 minutes for a bubbly golden crust.

🌶️ Spicy southwestern: Add 1 diced jalapeño and 1/2 tsp cumin. Swap chives for cilantro.

🧄 Cream cheese swirl: Drop spoonfuls of softened cream cheese across the batter and swirl with a knife for tangy pockets.

No Jiffy mix? Combine 2/3 cup cornmeal, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.

Dairy-free option: Use melted coconut oil, oat milk, and coconut cream as replacements.

Convection oven: Drop temperature to 375°F and start checking at 40 minutes.

Equipment Guide

  • 🍳 2-quart baking dish — ceramic browns more evenly than glass
  • 🥣 2 mixing bowls — one large for dry, one medium for wet
  • 🥄 Whisk and silicone spatula — whisk for wet, spatula for gentle folding
  • 🧻 Fine strainer or paper towels — for draining thawed corn
  • 🌡️ Instant-read thermometer (optional) — aim for 195°F in the center

Storage & Meal Prep

Method How Duration
Refrigerate Cool fully, cover tightly with foil or lid Up to 4 days
Freeze (baked) Wrap portions in freezer-safe bags Up to 2 months
Reheat Cover with foil, warm at 325°F 15–25 minutes
Make-ahead Mix dry and wet separately; combine before baking Up to 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make Jiffy corn casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight?

Yes, but keep wet and dry mixes separate overnight. Combine them right before baking for the best rise and texture. A fully assembled batter loses leavening power if it sits.

Why is my corn casserole mushy or watery in the middle?

The most common cause is excess water from undrained frozen corn. Thaw, drain, and pat dry before adding. If it’s still wet, bake 5 minutes longer and check again.

What can I use instead of Jiffy corn muffin mix in corn casserole?

Combine 2/3 cup cornmeal, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Any store-brand corn muffin mix in the same amount also works.

How do you know when corn casserole is done baking?

The top turns golden and the edges pull away from the dish. The center should jiggle slightly, not ripple like liquid. An instant-read thermometer should read about 195°F.

Can you freeze corn casserole before or after baking?

Freezing after baking preserves the best texture. Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating at 325°F.

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Chef Lucía Barrenechea Vidal - corn casserole recipe

Chef Lucía Barrenechea Vidal

Lucía is the recipe developer behind FrutaMeal. She tests every recipe multiple times for reliability and flavor before publishing. Her focus is making holiday cooking approachable for home cooks of all skill levels.

According to the Serious Eats Test Kitchen,
proper technique and attention to detail is essential for this corn casserole.

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