Jalapeno Corn Casserole is an easy, crowd-pleasing side dish that is served at everything from BBQ's to holiday dinner tables. This corn casserole is creamy, light, and sweet with just the right kick from fresh jalapeños. This budget-friendly recipe comes together with pantry staples and is the perfect side dish for when you need to feed a crowd.
Jalapeno Corn Casserole is the perfect side dish for a big holiday meal such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. This easy recipe makes enough to serve a hungry crowd and uses affordable ingredients.
One of my mottos for moderation during the holidays (or anytime really!) is if you want to eat healthy, bring something healthy!
Most corn casseroles are decadent and loaded with cream cheese and heavy cream. The cream corn in this recipe helps add that creamy sweet flavor and texture. A little bit of sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the corn, while the jalapeños add a little bit of heat which can be adjusted to your preference.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy to make!
- Makes a full 9x13-inch casserole.
- Budget-friendly side dish for a crowd or big family.
- Can be enjoyed as a side dish year round!
- A lighter side dish although no one would be able to tell.
Ingredients you'll need
- Milk - I use 2% or whole milk. Needed to get that corn pudding consistency.
- Eggs - Helps bind the ingredients together.
- Butter - Just a little bit of butter adds to the richness of the dish.
- Cream Corn - Adds sweetness and helps with the creamy consistency of the casserole.
- Cornmeal - For that classic cornbread like taste.
- All-Purpose Flour - Necessary for helping the dish hold together.
- Sugar - Enhances the sweetness of the corn.
- Baking Powder - Give the casserole a little lift.
- Salt and Pepper - Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Corn - You can use any combination of fresh, canned or frozen corn. I prefer to use canned or fresh corn. To use frozen corn, thaw before assembly and make sure corn is not too dried out.
- Jalapeños - Fresh, minced jalapeños with the seeds and membrane removed. This dish isn't too spicy.
- Cheddar Cheese - I recommend shredding your own cheddar cheese.
Variations
- Swap the peppers. Swap the fresh jalapeños for roasted Hatch Green Chile peppers or poblano peppers.
- Increase the heat. Add more jalapeños or try mixing in diced habanero or serrano pepper.
- Add some bacon. Mix in some chopped, cooked bacon. Many readers tell me they do this!
How to make
- Combine ingredients. Preheat oven and lightly grease casserole dish or skillet. Whisk together milk, eggs and butter. Stir in cream corn, cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and pepper. Fold in corn, jalapeños and shredded cheese.
- Bake. Transfer to prepared dish and bake for 1 hour or until center is set.
Serving & Storage
To make ahead of time: The corn casserole can be prepared a day in advance, refrigerated and then baked the next day.
Serving: Serve casserole warm. Jalapeno Corn Pudding is an excellent side dish for Holiday mains such as turkey, ham and brisket.
Storage: Serve leftover casserole covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
📖 Recipe
Jalapeno Corn Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 4 eggs
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 - (15 ounce) can cream style corn
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups whole kernel corn
- ⅓ cup fresh jalapeños, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9" X 13" or large oven safe cast-iron skillet and set aside.
- Whisk together milk, eggs and butter. Stir in cream corn, cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Fold in corn, jalapenos and shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for approximately 1 hour or until center is set and casserole is golden brown. If necessary, cover with foil during the last 15 minutes of cooking to prevent browning.
Notes
I hope your family and friends enjoy this Jalapeno Corn Casserole! It is always an honor to be a small part of your holiday meal.
Alaine
More Side Dish Recipes:
Patti says
Can this be frozen?
Alaine says
I haven't personally frozen the casserole before, but I think it would hold up just fine.