Description
Midwestern comfort shines through this cheesy corn delight casserole, blending creamy textures with hearty ingredients. Home cooks can savor this nostalgic dish that connects generations of family gatherings with simple, satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 32 oz (907 g) frozen corn, thawed
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 1.5 cups half-and-half
- 2 cups crushed butter crackers (like Ritz)
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- 1.5 tsps salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Base Layer: Blend corn kernels, cracker crumbs, and shredded cheese in the prepared baking dish, creating a foundational mixture.
- Creamy Fusion: Combine remaining corn, whole eggs, half-and-half cream, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne in a food processor, pulsing until achieving a textured, slightly chunky liquid.
- Blending Layers: Pour the processed corn mixture over the base ingredients, stirring to ensure a uniform consistency throughout the casserole.
- Initial Baking: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, observing as edges set firmly while the center remains slightly soft.
- Crispy Topping: Prepare the garnish by mixing remaining cracker crumbs, shredded cheese, and melted unsalted butter during the initial baking period.
- Final Touches: Remove the casserole, sprinkle the prepared topping evenly across the surface, then return to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes until a knife comes out clean and the top turns golden and crisp.
Notes
- Prep Like a Pro: Keep ingredients at room temperature for smoother blending and more even cooking.
- Corn Kernel Care: Use fresh or frozen corn for the best texture and sweetest flavor; avoid canned corn to maintain recipe integrity.
- Baking Brilliance: Let the casserole rest 10-15 minutes after baking to allow it to set and make slicing easier.
- Spice It Right: Adjust cayenne and smoked paprika to personal heat preference, starting with small amounts and tasting as you go.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg