Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese

Think of Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese as a mini casserole. While some make enough to feed the whole neighborhood, this recipe makes just enough sweet, creamy and corny goodness to serve as a side dish for a summery main such as grilled lemon chicken, but it will be gone before you’ve had to endure too many revisits from the leftovers.

Ingredients for Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese

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• Corn: Use a few ears of fresh corn cut from the cob in high summer to make a particularly good version of this recipe, though it’s perfectly welcome in winter made with sweet frozen corn kernels.
• Cream cheese: Brick-style cream cheese adds loads of tangy flavor and richness to this corn casserole without adding lots of liquid—a win for this recipe because it doesn’t bake for long enough to evaporate the moisture from an equivalent amount of heavy cream.
• Butter: A couple of teaspoons of butter, either salted or sweet, add rich flavor and help the casserole remove cleanly from the pan.
• Chopped green chiles: Perhaps the most distinctive flavor element of this dish besides the corn, canned chopped green chiles are roasted and peeled New Mexico–style Anaheim peppers. They’re sold most often in cans or jars. They’re typically somewhat mild, though spicy options are available.
• Garlic: One small clove is enough to perfume this creamy casserole with its sweet, pungent flavor.

Directions 

Step 1: Combine the casserole ingredients

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 3-cup baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the corn kernels, cream cheese, butter, green chiles, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish.

Step 2: Bake the casserole

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Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. Stir before serving.

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Recipe Variations 

• Amp up the heat: Add more green chile than this version calls for. If you want more heat, add some minced jalapeño or serrano pepper, too. Don’t have any green chile on hand? Try some finely chopped scallions instead.
• Customize the seasoning: Besides the green chile, this corn casserole has simple seasonings—just salt and pepper. Layer in flavor by adding cayenne, oregano, furikake, or ground cumin to the cream cheese mixture.
• Add some crunch: Top the finished casserole with crispy, crumbled bacon or crushed tortilla chips.

How to Store Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese

To store leftover corn casserole with cream cheese, let it cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.

Can you freeze corn casserole with cream cheese?

Yes, you can freeze corn casserole with cream cheese, either before baking or after. To freeze it before baking, place the filled casserole dish on a level surface in the freezer and freeze it until it’s completely solid before wrapping and labeling it. Bake it from frozen at 350°, covered with foil, for 35 minutes, or until bubbly around the edges. To freeze after baking, wait until the casserole is completely cooled, then wrap and freeze it. Alternatively, pack individual servings in microwave-safe containers and microwave them to reheat them as needed.

Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese Tips

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If I’m using fresh corn do I need to cook it first?

If your ears of corn are very fresh you can just strip the kernels off of the ears using a serrated knife. If they’re a little starchy, blast them for a moment or two in the microwave to ensure that they soften enough during the baking time.

What can I substitute for canned green chiles?

Canned green chiles are roasted and peeled Anaheim chiles. Instead of the canned or jarred variety, you can roast your own Anaheim or Italian frying peppers. Roasted and peeled poblanos are darker in color and have slightly more spice, but they will work as well. You can also use pickled jalapeños for a punchier dish.

What should you serve with corn casserole with cream cheese?

This decadent side dish calls for a simple entree such as lemon chicken skewers or a salad that’ll be ready in 30 minutes, the same amount of time this casserole will be in the oven.