Description
Midwestern comfort shines through in this cheesy corn bake recipe, blending sweet corn kernels with rich dairy goodness. Home cooks can savor simple ingredients that create a soul-warming side dish perfect for family gatherings and potluck celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 45 oz (1.27 kg) whole kernel corn, canned and drained
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
- 1.25 cups (298 ml) Colby Jack cheese, shredded (divided)
- 4 oz (113 g) green chiles, canned and diced
- ½ yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp white sugar
- ½ tsp Old Bay or Cajun seasoning
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- Fresh green onions (optional topping)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C) and thoroughly spray a 9 × 9 inches (23 × 23 centimeters) baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cheese Melting: Combine cream cheese and green chiles in a microwave-safe bowl, heating until the cream cheese becomes silky and malleable. Stir with a spatula to create a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
- Flavor Fusion: Blend drained corn kernels, Colby Jack cheese, diced onion, and selected spices into the cream cheese base. Fold ingredients gently to maintain a consistent texture and even distribution of flavors.
- Baking Assembly: Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish, topping with the remaining shredded cheese to create a golden, appetizing surface.
- Final Cooking: Bake for approximately one hour until the dish develops a rich, golden-brown color. Optional: Activate the low broil setting for 1-2 minutes to achieve a crisp, caramelized finish, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- Check Cheese Meltability: Select a high-quality melting cheese like Colby Jack to ensure a smooth, creamy texture that browns beautifully and provides rich flavor depth.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust green chiles and spices to match your heat preference, from mild to bold, creating a personalized corn bake experience.
- Prevent Moisture Buildup: Thoroughly drain corn kernels to avoid excess liquid that could make the dish watery and compromise the creamy consistency.
- Monitor Broiling Carefully: Watch the dish closely during the final 1-2 minutes of broiling to achieve a golden-brown top without burning the cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg