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Ditch the box mix and experience real flavor! This easy corn pudding casserole recipe delivers creamed corn comfort food bliss without the Jiffy mix. Simple ingredients and 10 minutes of preparation combine for a dump-and-bake side dish the whole family will love.
“I love that your corn casserole is made completely from scratch! I grew up eating Jiffy, but that is way too sweet for me (and the ingredient list is pretty alarming). This is the PERFECT stand in for dressing on the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner table! A new holiday staple for my family. Thank you!”
-Berrie
Update: This recipe for cream style corn casserole was originally published in November 2021. I made updates to include more information about making without jiffy mix at home.
Hi, friends! Say hello to your new favorite corn side dish!
This golden, creamy, sweet cornbread-esque beauty isn’t just limited to the holidays. This corn casserole without jiffy will be the star of every show – from Thanksgiving and Christmas to cozy weeknight dinners! (Psst, this casserole is amazing with everything from roasted turkey and holiday ham to chili, stews, pot roasts, ribs and more.)
Table of Contents
- About this cream style corn casserole
- What’s the difference between corn casserole and corn pudding?
- Ingredients in corn casserole without jiffy
- How to make corn pudding casserole without jiffy mix
- FAQs: frequently asked questions
- Serving suggestions
- Storing leftovers
- More veggie casserole side dish recipes!
- Cream Style Corn Casserole without Jiffy Mix
About this cream style corn casserole
Featuring a super-simple light and wonderfully grainy homemade cornbread mix, luscious cream-style corn and juicy sweet corn, plus plenty of cheese and aromatic seasonings – this corn casserole recipe without jiffy mix is savory, sweet, cheesy and undeniably delicious!
This casserole is not like those loose, pudding-like creamed corn casserole, nor is it dry like typical cornbread casserole. Instead, it’s the ideal mix of the two – fluffy, soft and ultra-moist with a custard like creamy texture – meaning you can scoop or slice (or shovel!) depending upon your predilection! Essentially, it’s heaven… with an abundance of corn and cheese for good measure!
Also, this creamy corn situation could not be any easier to throw together – and there’s none of that Jiffy box-mix business happening here! This corn casserole recipe without jiffy mix uses a super quick and easy 4-ingredient homemade cornbread mix! And, the entire casserole (homemade jiffy included) takes just 10 minutes to throw together! Seriously, all you have to do is measure, dump, mix and bake – it’s as easy as that!
If you love sweet corn, be sure to try these delicious recipes next: three ways to grill corn on the cob, roasted corn salsa, chicken chowder with corn, corn succotash, and corn and tomato salad with avocados.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Real ingredients! No box-mix or artificial ingredients here – just real ingredients and really delicious flavor! (Note: you CAN use a box of jiffy if you prefer!)
- Simple and fast to make! This creamy corn casserole recipe is straightforward, fool-proof and incredibly easy to make, with just 10 minutes of just hands on preparation!
- Creamy texture! There’s nothing worse than a dry casserole! This recipe produces an ultra-moist and fluffy casserole your family is sure to love!
- Flavor! This cream style corn casserole uses simple pantry seasonings to jazz up typically bland corn casserole!
- Customizable! You can customize this flexible recipe to suit your specific taste and needs! Feel free to add bacon, jalapeños, or simply pile on more cheese!
- Make-ahead! You can easily prepare and bake this casserole in advance! When you are ready to serve it, simply reheat and eat!
- Family Favorite! Everyone loves this comforting casserole and it’s always a hit during the holidays!
Ingredients in corn casserole without jiffy
This corn casserole recipe without jiffy mix uses simple, easy to find ingredients. Chances are you already have most of the ingredients for this creamy corn casserole right in your pantry and refrigerator:
- Homemade Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: A simple combination of four ingredients yields homemade jiffy mix – minus the lard, preservatives, and additives. Substitution: You can use an 8.5-ounce box of Jiffy Corn Muffin or Cornbread mix instead. (See below for a full description of copycat cornbread mix)
- Seasonings: A combination of onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, kosher salt and ground black pepper all provide robust, yet subtle flavor!
- Butter: Unsalted butter provides moisture and fat which creates a tender texture and rich, buttery flavor!
- Eggs: Two large plus one large egg yolk bind everything together and provide structure so the casserole holds its shape once baked. The extra yolk gives this corn casserole a silkier, moister, and richer texture than traditional casseroles!
- Sour Cream: Sour cream provides a deliciously tangy flavor which perfectly balances the sweet cornbread! It also adds even more moisture which helps give the casserole a fluffy, light mouthfeel! Substitution: You can use full-fat whole Greek yogurt instead.
- Whole Kernel Sweet Corn: Kernels of sweet corn add plenty of texture along with a touch of sweet taste! You can use canned or frozen kernels of corn depending upon your preference!
- Cream-Style Sweet Corn: You can’t have corn pudding (no jiffy mix )without a can of creamed corn! This ingredient gives the casserole its signature creamy, ultra-moist texture!
Ingredients for cornbread mix
This four-ingredient homemade Jiffy baking mix comes together in mere minutes. This mix just requires measuring and mixing – honestly, it’s so easy to make you are going to wonder why you ever used the box mix!
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides the foundation for cornbread (or corn muffins) and helps the batter remain sturdy and thick.
- Cornmeal: Yellow cornmeal gives cornbread a deliciously grainy, hearty texture as well as its signature golden color.
- Sugar: A touch of sugar helps bring out all the flavors while providing a subtle sweetness.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent helps the batter rise and expand as it bakes.
Please note, store-bought Jiffy cornbread also includes lard (shortening), additives, and preservatives. This homemade version eliminates all additives and preservatives. Since we are removing the lard, you’ll simply use an extra egg yolk in this corn casserole recipe without jiffy mix instead, which provides plenty of richness and fat.
Recipe variations
Do you want to make a few additions to this recipe? Go for it! I encourage you to get creative in the kitchen and create a creamy corn casserole that’s perfect for you and your family!
- Gluten-free: If you’re looking to make a gluten-free corn casserole, swap out the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour – just make sure to use a brand that can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio! Also, please be sure to use a certified gluten-free brand of cornmeal.
- Cheese: I typically use white sharp cheddar cheese; however, you can use whatever variety of cheese you love, such as, yellow cheddar, Colby Jack, Fontina, Gouda, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack and even Provolone! Basically, any decent melting cheese will work well!
- Jalapeños: If you like a little heat, finely dice up a jalapeño or two and add it to the casserole “batter” when you add the corn and cheese (Step 5)!
- Green Chiles: A can of green chiles adds the perfect amount of mild smoky, spicy flavor! I recommend using a (7-ounce) can for this recipe – be sure to drain the chiles before using!
- Bacon: Everything is better with bacon! Cook the bacon until crispy, crumble and stir it into the casserole “batter” when you add the corn and cheese (Step 5)!
- Seasonings: You can absolutely play with the spices and seasonings to shake things up! If you are a fan of Tex-Mex, try adding a bit of cumin and coriander! If you like things pungent, throw in some garlic powder or minced roasted garlic!
- More butter: If you want a truly decadent, buttery, rich corn casserole with no jiffy mix, I highly recommend brushing the top of the casserole with a bit of melted butter when it is fresh out of the oven! You don’t need a ton of butter to make a big impact – just a tablespoon of melted butter will do!
- Honey: If you prefer a sweet creamed corn dish, try drizzling or brushing the top of the casserole with a bit of honey when the casserole is fresh out of the oven! (Or you can mix a little honey with a bit of melted butter for a seriously swoon-worthy combo!)
How to make corn pudding casserole without jiffy mix
This sweet cream style corn casserole recipe is simple, totally fool-proof and only requires 5 minutes of hands-on preparation! Literally, all you need to do is measure, dump, stir and bake – it’s as easy as that!!
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees F (or 325-degrees convection). Lightly grease an 9×9-inch or 8×10-inch baking dish (2 ½ quart) with non-stick cooking spray.
- Dry ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and whisk well until combined. Set the bowl aside.
- Wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter, eggs, and sour cream until well combined and creamy.
- Add dry to wet ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the bowl. Whisk together until thick and smooth.
- Stir in corn and cheese: Add both types of corn and the cheese to the bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold the ingredients together until just combined – do not over mix!
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the corn mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the casserole is just set in the center – the casserole should be golden brown and barely jiggly in the center. A toothpick inserted into the center of the casserole should come out relatively clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and place the casserole dish on a cooling rack. Let the corn casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to properly set.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and parmesan cheese if using. Serve corn pudding without jiffy mix warm and enjoy!
Expert tips for the best corn casserole no jiffy mix
Follow the expert tips below for baking up the best creamed corn casserole every single time!
- Measure properly! Please make sure you are measuring your ingredients properly, this is especially true for the all-purpose flour. When measuring flour, use a spoon or fork to fluff the flour in its container before measuring! Once you are ready to measure, use a large spoon to scoop the flour from the container into your measuring cup – making sure the flour is lightly overflowing the cup. Next, use the back, straightedge of a knife to level off the flour.
- Make it your own! I encourage you to make this corn casserole (no jiffy mix) your own! Add some crispy bacon and/or jalapeños, swap out the white cheddar for your favorite melty cheese – please feel free to give the dish your loving touch! (Scroll up for a list of substitutions and variations for this recipe!)
- Don’t over-mix! Don’t over mix the dry and wet ingredients together – there should be some lumps!
- Use a good baking pan! Not all baking vessels are created equal! Please do not use an aluminum tray or glass baking dish for this recipe. Those disposable trays aren’t a good conductor of heat. Likewise, the glass baking dishes don’t heat evenly.
- Don’t over-bake! Please avoid over-baking your casserole as it will go from creamy and moist to dry and crumbly! I advise you check the casserole for doneness at the 40 minute mark.
- Brush it with butter! If you want a truly decadent, buttery, rich corn casserole, I recommend brushing the top with a bit of melted butter when it is fresh out of the oven – before resting and garnishing!
Step-by-step photos: making southern corn casserole at home
(Don’t forget to scroll down for the detailed instructions in the complete printable corn pudding without jiffy mix recipe at the bottom of the page.)
FAQs: frequently asked questions
Below you’ll find the most common questions and answers about making corn pudding without jiffy mix. If you have a question you’d like answered, please drop it in the comments section below!
What type of corn is best in pudding casseroles?
For the best creamy, ultra-moist texture, you need to use both cream-style corn and sweet whole kernel corn!
You need one (roughly 15-ounce) can of cream-style corn gives corn casserole its signature ultra-creamy texture, so make sure you do NOT drain this corn before using.
In addition, you need one (roughly 15-ounce) can or a bag (3 cups) of frozen sweet corn. If using a can of corn, please be sure to thoroughly drain the corn before using, otherwise your casserole will be too wet. If using a frozen bag of corn, please thaw it before preparing this corn casserole recipe without jiffy mix.
What is a good substitute for creamed corn in casserole?
Unfortunately, there is no good substitute for a can of creamed corn; however, you can easily make it yourself! You will need a can of sweet corn kernels, milk, and cornstarch.
How to make creamed corn from scratch
- Drain and rinse: Open the can of sweet corn kernels and dump the contents into a fine-mesh colander. Drain and rinse the corn to remove excess salt.
- Puree half: Transfer half the kernels of corn and 1/3 cup of milk to a food processor (or blender) and puree. Transfer the corn puree to a small saucepan.
- Pulse half: Transfer the remaining kernels to the food processor (or blender) and pulse until coarsely chopped. Transfer the kernels to the saucepan.
- Simmer: Bring the corn to a gentle simmer.
- Add cornstarch: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Add the cornstarch mixture to the corn.
- Stir constantly: Continue to gently simmer, stirring constantly, until the corn is thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
How long to bake creamy corn casserole?
This corn casserole pudding without jiffy mix recipe bakes in an oven preheated to 350-degrees Fahrenheit for 40-50 minutes. The precise amount of time to bake corn casserole will depend upon the strength and proper calibration of your oven. You can tell cornbread casserole is done baking when the mixture is set, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out relatively clean (a few moist crumbs are fine!).
Can I make this casserole in a crockpot?
You can easily make sweet corn pudding casserole in a crockpot or slow cooker instead of baking it in the oven!
To prepare crockpot corn casserole
- Mix ingredients: Combine the ingredients following the recipe instructions.
- Transfer to crockpot: Lightly grease a 4 to 6-quart crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Gently pour the “batter” into the crockpot.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on HIGH for 2 ½ to 3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours.
- Keep warm: Turn the crockpot setting to WARM and keep the corn pudding without jiffy mix covered until ready to serve!
Tips for using the crockpot
- All crockpots and slow cookers heat differently, so please check on the corn casserole without jiffy mix as it nears the end of the cook time. If your crockpot runs hot, it may need less time than stated above!
- If you double the recipe, you will need a larger (10-quart) crockpot and you will need to increase the cook time.
Can I double this recipe?
You can easily double this recipe for cream style corn casserole if you are feeding a large crowd!
When doubling the recipe, you will need to use a 9×13-inch baking pan (instead of a 9×9-inch pan). Also, you will need to increase the baking time slightly. Your casserole may take 5 to 15 minutes longer to fully cook, depending upon the strength and calibration of your oven, as well as the depth and precise measurements of your baking dish. Creamed corn casserole is fully cooked when the center is just set (barely jiggly) and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Can I make corn casserole pudding in advance?
You can absolutely make this creamy corn casserole one day ahead of time! The best way to make this casserole in advance is to completely prepare and bake it according to the recipe instructions. Let the casserole cool completely and then cover it tightly with plastic wrap before storing in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and set it on the counter for 30-40 minutes to remove the chill. Then, reheat the casserole in the oven and enjoy! (See below for precise reheating instructions!)
I do not recommend assembling the corn pudding casserole and storing it in the refrigerator to bake later as the leavening agent (baking powder) will lose some of its effectiveness.
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More veggie casserole side dish recipes!
If you love this corn casserole recipe without jiffy mix and are searching for more delicious side dishes – perfect for both weeknight dinners and holidays – check out these fan favorites:
How to make the best creamed corn casserole without jiffy👇
Cream Style Corn Casserole without Jiffy Mix
Equipment
- 2 Mixing Bowls (one small and one large – for mixing corn pudding)
- 1 9×9 or 8×10-inch baking dish (for baking corn casserole pudding)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 9 TBS Yellow Cornmeal – spooned & leveled (67 grams) (= 1/2 cup + 1 TBS)
- ½ Cup All Purpose Flour – spooned & leveled (60 grams)
- 3 TBS Granulated Sugar – or more to taste (35 grams)
- 1 TBS Baking Powder (11 grams)
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ heaping tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper
Wet Ingredients
- ½ Cup Unsalted Butter – melted & cooled (1 stick)
- 2 Large Eggs + 1 Egg Yolk – at room temperature; beaten
- 1 Cup Sour Cream (8 ounces)
- 1 (15.25-ounce) Can Whole Kernel Sweet Corn – drained
- 1 (14.75-ounce) Can Cream Style Sweet Corn – DO NOT drain
- 1 Cup White Cheddar Cheese – freshly shredded (4 ounces) (SEE NOTES)
- Optional for Serving: Scallions, Chives or Parsley Melted Butter, and Freshly Grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F (or 325-degrees convection). Lightly grease an 9×9-inch or 8×10-inch casserole baking dish (2 ½ quart) with non-stick cooking spray. (SEE NOTES about baking pans)
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients along with 1 teaspoon salt and heaping ¼ teaspoon pepper. Whisk well until combined and set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, and sour cream until well combined and thick/creamy.
- Pour Dry into Wet Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the bowl. Whisk together until just combined and thick. (The mixture should be a bit lumpy)
- Stir in Corn and Cheese: Add both types of corn and the cheese to the bowl. Use a spatula to fold the ingredients until just combined – do not over mix!
- Transfer to Casserole Dish: Pour the corn mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the corn pudding casserole is just set in the center – the casserole should be deeply golden brown and every barely jiggly in the center. A toothpick inserted into the center of the casserole should come out relatively clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Casserole: Remove from the oven and place on a wire cooling rack. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to properly set. OPTIONAL: Brush the casserole with a bit of melted butter when it's fresh out of the oven for a truly buttery, decadent side dish!
- Serve Cream Style Corn Casserole: Garnish with herbs and parmesan cheese if using. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Measure properly! Please make sure you are measuring your ingredients properly, this is especially true for the all-purpose flour. When measuring flour, use a spoon or fork to fluff the flour in its container before measuring! Once you are ready to measure, use a large spoon to scoop the flour from the container into your measuring cup – making sure the flour is lightly overflowing the cup. Next, use the back, straightedge of a knife to level off the flour.
- Cheese: You can use whatever variety of melting cheese you love – yellow cheddar, Colby Jack, Fontina, Gouda, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack and even Provolone – all work well!
- Make it your own! I encourage you to make this recipe your own! Add some crispy bacon and/or jalapeños, swap out the white cheddar for your favorite melty cheese – please feel free to give the dish your loving touch! (See the post above for a list of substitutions and variations for this recipe!)
- Don’t over-mix! Don’t over mix the dry and wet ingredients together – there should be some lumps!
- Use a good baking pan! Not all baking vessels are created equal! Do not use an aluminum tray or a glass baking dish for this recipe. Those disposable aluminum trays don’t conduct heat well and glass baking dishes heat very unevenly. You can use an 8×8-inch (2 quart) baking dish instead; however, you may need to add a few minutes to the cook time (since your casserole will be deeper vs. shallower).
- Don’t over-bake! Please avoid over-baking your casserole as it will go from creamy and moist to dry and crumbly! I advise you check the casserole for doneness at the 40 minute mark.
- Brush it with butter! If you want a truly decadent, buttery, rich corn casserole, I recommend brushing the top with a bit of melted butter when it is fresh out of the oven – before resting and garnishing!
Nutrition
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Lauren
Well I’d never had a corn casserole, but this looked and sounded so terrific I had to try it. VERY GOOD! Going to try adding bacon / prosciutto next time as you suggested. Bet that would be sooooo good! Thanks
Berrie
I love that your corn casserole is made completely from scratch, Cheyanne! I grew up eating Jiffy, but that is way too sweet for me (and the ingredient list is pretty alarming). This is the PERFECT stand in for dressing on the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner table! A new holiday staple for my family. Thank you!
Nina
What a great side dish. We really enjoy this with some chili. Perfect for game days or soup nights at home!
Jennifer
Corn casseroles aren’t seen much in my part of Canada, but I can’t help but feel we are really missing out 🙂 This looks fabulous and such a great side dish! I need to put this one on my list to try, for sure.
Shannon
This casserole looks so dang beautiful and it tastes even better. Beautiful golden colour and the combo of flavours is delicious!