The Best Homemade Corn Casserole

This Festive Homemade Corn Casserole is versatile enough to serve for Christmas or Thanksgiving. Corn casseroles are a holiday favorite, but this one takes it up a notch. It features red and green peppers, bacon, cheese, and green onions. 

Traditional corn casseroles utilize pre-made cornbread mixes, but this one is made entirely from scratch. That doesn’t mean it’s difficult, though! This recipe has no fancy footwork; simply mix some ingredients and bake. It’s that easy. This is a side dish your friends and family will be raving about for years to come. 

Homemade Corn Casserole Hacks

This recipe is easy enough, but there are always a few tricks that make it even better. Here are some things to keep in mind as you start cooking. 

• I used coconut sugar to make this recipe healthier. You can use your favorite sweetener, though. Use equal parts white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey. 
• Don’t overmix your corn casserole. This keeps your cornbread light and fluffy. 
• Yellow cornmeal works best for this recipe, not corn flour. This gives it a rustic texture similar to boxed cornbread. 
• You can substitute the creamed corn for another can of drained corn, plus 2 more tablespoons of sour cream. 
• If you like your bacon crispy, omit bacon bits from the batter and use them to top the casserole. 
• You can freeze your corn casserole for up to three months. Just thaw in the fridge the night before reheating. 
• If you’re eating this casserole after thawing it, you’ll need to add extra sour cream or a dash of milk.
• Substitute greek yogurt for sour cream to keep this casserole light. 

Serving Ideas

Corn casserole isn’t usually served on its own. Add some of these great recipes to your menu for a complete meal. Don’t forget to add the turkey or ham!

• Vegetarian Stuffing: A delightful side dish full of herbs and garlic. It can easily be made gluten-free by subbing the bread. 
• Garlic Smashed Potatoes: These fancy potatoes are crisp on the outside and mealy on the inside. You won’t be able to get enough!
• Bone-In Prime Rib Roast: This simple main dish is easier than it looks. This is a nice change of pace from your typical holiday turkey. It’s sure to wow a crowd. 
• Garlic Roasted Carrots. These bright veggies are the perfect addition to any holiday menu. They have enough flair for guests but require little prep work. Who said holidays have to be crazy? 
• Apple Pie: Finish your meal with this decadent apple pie. There’s nothing better than homemade pie, especially when it’s topped with cool ice cream. 

Tasty Homemade Corn Casserole Ingredients

The best thing about this decadent homemade corn casserole is that it doesn’t require anything fancy. These are just simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store! Here’s what you need to add to your shopping list. 

Butter. I prefer using butter to sauté my veggies. It adds the perfect amount of silky flavor. Feel free to use olive or coconut oil if you don’t have butter. If using coconut oil, get refined, or your veggies will end up tasting like coconut. 

Veggies. I wanted this corn casserole to scream “HOLIDAYS!” so I added red and green peppers. A little onion and garlic are musts for any casserole to add texture and a hint of zest. You can experiment and add other veggies if you wish. Broccoli, carrots, and peas would all taste fantastic. 

Cornbread. This Homemade Corn Casserole stands out from the crowd because it includes homemade cornbread, not boxed. Homemade cornbread mix is a lot easier than you think. All you need is cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 

I opted to use coconut sugar in this recipe. It gave the cornbread a deep, dark flavor and kept this meal free of refined sugar. Honey is also a fabulous option, but you can use whatever sweetener you have on hand. 

Wet Ingredients. I added a healthy dose of sour cream, melted butter, and eggs to keep this casserole moist. If this doesn’t sound like much liquid, trust the process. The corn adds a lot of moisture. 

Corn. Part of what makes Festive Homemade Corn Casserole so great is that it uses two kinds of corn. Creamed corn adds richness to the recipe, while whole corn gives it a hearty texture. 

Extras. You could always stop with the components I already listed, but the holidays call for indulgence. I added cheese, bacon, and chopped green onions for some jazz. 

The other ingredients are flexible, but I recommend using freshly shredded cheddar. Pre-shredded contains a lot of fillers which make it hard to melt.  

How to Make Festive Homemade Corn Casserole

This recipe will make any holiday table look fantastic. It has a fresh feel thanks to all the delightful veggies. Here’s how to make this beautiful Homemade Corn Casserole.

Step One: Sauté the Veggies

Preheat the oven to 350℉ and lightly grease a casserole pan. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the veggies and sauté until soft. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant. Remove from the pan and set aside. 

Step Two: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 

Step Three: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix the sour cream, melted butter, and eggs until homogenous.

Step Four: Fold in the Corn

Combine the wet ingredients with the dry and fold in the corn, creamed corn, bacon, ½ of the cheese, and the veggie mixture. 

Step Five: Top and Bake

Pour into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Garnish with green onions, if desired.

The smaller your baking dish, the longer your cook time. Enjoy!

What holiday recipes are you dying to try? Let us know in the comments below. 

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