The Best Creamy & Cheesy Crock Pot Corn Casserole: An Easy Slow Cooker Side Dish for Any Occasion
There’s nothing quite like a comforting, savory side dish that practically makes itself. This Crock Pot Corn Casserole is a true testament to that convenience, delivering a creamy, cheesy corn pudding casserole experience, generously loaded with sweet corn and baked to perfection with a hint of cornbread mix. It’s the ultimate “set it and forget it” recipe, making it an indispensable addition to your culinary repertoire, especially when you need to free up oven space during busy holiday meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
This incredibly easy side dish effortlessly complements a wide array of main course meats, from a succulent roast chicken to a festive holiday ham. Imagine whipping up this delightful casserole in just a matter of minutes, transferring it to your slow cooker, and then simply letting it work its magic for a few hours. This hands-off approach transforms a potentially stressful meal preparation into a relaxed and enjoyable experience, guaranteeing a delicious and comforting addition to your table without the fuss.
Why Choose a Slow Cooker for Your Corn Casserole?
The slow cooker is an absolute game-changer for dishes like corn casserole. Its consistent, low-heat cooking method ensures that the casserole bakes evenly, retaining moisture and developing a rich, deep flavor that’s hard to achieve with conventional baking. For holiday hosts, the slow cooker is a lifesaver, as it keeps your oven free for the turkey, roasts, or other baked goods. Plus, it doubles as a serving dish, keeping your casserole warm for hours without overcooking, which is perfect for potlucks or extended family gatherings.
I come from a family that holds their corn and cornbread recipes in high regard. We have a treasury of recipes, including classic corn pudding, light and airy spoon bread, rustic cornbread, and, of course, this beloved slow cooker corn casserole. While many of these recipes share common ingredients and foundational similarities, each one boasts its unique texture and flavor profile, making them distinct and cherished in their own right. This crock pot version stands out for its effortless preparation and consistently delicious results, offering a creamy texture that sets it apart.
Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Corn Casserole
Gathering your ingredients for this crock pot corn casserole is straightforward, primarily utilizing pantry staples. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect creamy, savory, and slightly sweet balance:
- Canned Cream Style Corn: This is the secret to the casserole’s incredible creaminess and adds a natural sweetness and depth of corn flavor. It contributes to the pudding-like consistency.
- Canned Whole Kernel Corn: Provides texture and distinct kernels of sweet corn, contrasting nicely with the cream style corn.
- Corn Muffin Mix: Acts as a binder and imparts that classic cornbread flavor and a slightly cake-like structure to the casserole. An 8.5-ounce box is standard and works perfectly.
- Sour Cream: Adds a delightful tanginess and richness, contributing significantly to the casserole’s moist and creamy texture.
- Melted Butter: For an irresistible buttery flavor and a tender crumb. It’s essential for richness.
- Eggs: Serve as a crucial binding agent, helping the casserole set properly and preventing it from becoming too crumbly.
- Honey: A touch of honey enhances the natural sweetness of the corn and balances the savory flavors. You can adjust the amount to your preference.
- Shredded Cheese: Provides a wonderfully savory, cheesy depth and helps create a beautiful golden crust. Monterey Jack is a fantastic choice for its meltiness and mild flavor, but other options work too.
- Buttermilk or Milk: Adds necessary moisture and contributes to the overall creamy consistency. Buttermilk adds a slight tang that complements the other flavors.
Expert Tips for Making the Perfect Crock Pot Corn Casserole
Achieving the perfect creamy corn casserole in your slow cooker is simpler than you might think. Follow these tips to ensure a consistently delicious result:
Choosing Your Corn: Canned, Fresh, or Frozen?
This recipe is designed for convenience using a combination of canned cream style corn and canned whole kernel corn. You have flexibility here:
- Canned Corn: Feel free to use any variety of canned whole kernel corn – sweet, gold, white, shoepeg, or even Southwestern-style corn with peppers, which I often use for an extra flavor kick. Just be sure to drain the whole kernel corn thoroughly before adding it to the mix to avoid an overly watery casserole.
- Fresh Corn: If fresh corn is in season, it’s a wonderful alternative. You’ll need approximately 4 cups of corn kernels to replace the two 15-ounce cans of whole kernel corn. Simply cut the kernels directly off the cob.
- Frozen Corn: Frozen corn also works beautifully. For best results, thaw it completely before incorporating it into the mixture. This prevents excess moisture from being released during cooking and keeps your casserole from becoming soggy.
Cheese Variations to Elevate Your Casserole
While Monterey Jack is specified in the recipe for its smooth melt, don’t hesitate to experiment with other cheeses. Each brings a unique flavor:
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp or mild, cheddar adds a classic, tangy cheese flavor.
- Colby Jack or Cheddar Jack: These blends offer a balanced flavor and excellent melt.
- Pepper Jack: For those who enjoy a little heat, Pepper Jack adds a spicy kick.
- Cubed Cream Cheese: Many enthusiasts love to add 4 ounces of cubed cream cheese to the mixture. It melts into the casserole, making it exceptionally richer and even creamier.
Monitoring Cook Time and Your Slow Cooker
Watch the edges! Every slow cooker is unique, and they often cook faster around the edges. You want to cook the casserole just until the center is set and firm to the touch. Overcooking can lead to dry or even burnt edges, while the center might still be soft. A gentle jiggle test will tell you if it’s ready – the center should have minimal movement.
The cooking times provided in the recipe (2-3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low) are based on a standard 6-quart slow cooker, which is my preferred size. If you’re using a smaller or larger slow cooker, or a casserole-specific slow cooker, be aware that cooking times may vary. A smaller slow cooker might require slightly less time, especially if the mixture is deeper, while a larger one could cook faster if the mixture is spread thinner. Always keep a close eye on your casserole, especially towards the end of the cooking window, to prevent overcooking.
Cornbread Mix: Your Convenience Secret
Any standard 8.5-ounce box of cornbread mix will work perfectly for this recipe. However, like many home cooks, I have a soft spot for Jiffy cornbread mix for its consistent quality and familiar flavor. If you’re interested in elevating your boxed cornbread game, check out my post here for how to make Jiffy cornbread better. You can also use a homemade cornbread mix equivalent if you prefer, just ensure the quantity is similar to an 8.5-ounce box for optimal results.
Delicious Variations and Add-ins
This Crock Pot Corn Casserole is fantastic as is, but it’s also incredibly versatile! Here are some ideas to customize it:
- For a Spicy Kick: Add a can of drained diced green chiles, 1-2 chopped jalapeños (seeds removed for less heat), or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture.
- Extra Savory Goodness: Stir in a half cup of cooked, crumbled bacon, diced ham, or some chopped chives or green onions for an extra layer of flavor.
- Aromatic Enhancements: A teaspoon of onion powder or garlic powder can deepen the savory notes.
- Crunchy Topping: For added texture, sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers, French fried onions, or a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and melted butter over the top during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Serving Suggestions for Corn Casserole
This versatile side dish pairs wonderfully with a myriad of main courses. It’s a natural fit for:
- Holiday Feasts: Alongside roast turkey, glazed ham, or prime rib.
- Southern Comfort Meals: Perfect with BBQ pulled pork, fried chicken, or brisket.
- Weeknight Dinners: A fantastic companion to roasted chicken, pork chops, or meatloaf.
Consider serving it alongside other classic sides like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, or a fresh garden salad to complete your meal.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftover corn casserole is just as delicious as when it’s freshly made! Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
To reheat, individual portions can be warmed in the microwave until heated through. For larger quantities, cover and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. You can also reheat it on low in your slow cooker for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes:
-
Old Fashioned Wassail
-
Slow Cooker Calico Beans
-
Crockpot Roasted Chicken
-
Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Ham
-
Root Beer Pulled Pork
Crock Pot Corn Casserole
Crock Pot Corn Casserole is a creamy and cheesy corn pudding casserole full of sweet corn baked with cornbread mix.
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Ingredients
- 1 can cream style corn
- 2 cans sweet corn (drained or 4 cups corn kernels)
- 1 box cornbread mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or milk
- 1 cup monterey jack cheese
Instructions
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1. Prepare a 6-quart slow cooker by lightly spraying the crock with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
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2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients: cream style corn, drained sweet corn, cornbread mix, sour cream, melted butter, eggs, honey, buttermilk (or milk), and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and there are no dry spots.
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3. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours. The casserole is done when the center is set and a knife inserted comes out mostly clean. Be mindful not to overcook, as the edges can dry out quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can mix all the ingredients, cover the bowl, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before cooking. This makes it perfect for busy mornings or holiday meal prep. Just give it a good stir before transferring it to the slow cooker and add about 30 minutes to an hour to the cooking time if starting from cold.
Can I bake this corn casserole in a conventional oven instead of a slow cooker?
Yes, you can! Prepare the mixture as directed and pour it into a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the center. The top will likely brown more in an oven than in a slow cooker, so keep an eye on it.
Why is my corn casserole too wet or too dry?
- Too Wet: This often happens if the canned corn wasn’t drained thoroughly enough, or if your slow cooker tends to retain a lot of moisture. To remedy this, next time ensure all corn is well-drained. If it’s too wet after cooking, you can remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to allow some moisture to evaporate.
- Too Dry: Overcooking is usually the culprit for a dry casserole. Keep an eye on the cooking time, especially if your slow cooker runs hot. You want it just set in the center. Ensure you’re using the correct amount of buttermilk or milk.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe can be made gluten-free by simply substituting a gluten-free cornbread mix for the regular one. Always check the labels of all your ingredients to ensure they are certified gluten-free if that is a dietary requirement.
This Crock Pot Corn Casserole is more than just a side dish; it’s a celebration of comfort, convenience, and classic flavors. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or as part of a grand holiday spread, its creamy, cheesy goodness is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the simplicity of slow cooking and the delicious rewards!
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