Jalapeno Corn Casserole has the tastiest combo of sweet from the corn and cornbread, spicy from the fresh jalapeños and pepper jack, and creamy richness from the cheese and sour cream. Each bite has a little bit of everything! It's easy to make, too!
As for why it's a perfect side dish? It's hearty, comforting, and brings something a little different to the table. It also makes a great holiday side dish because it pairs great with my Thanksgiving Chicken, Old Fashioned Cabbage Casserole, and Savory Sweet Potato Casserole.
Quick Look: Jalapeno Corn Casserole
- ⏲️Ready in: 1 hour
- 👪Serves: 10-12
- 🥘Key Ingredients: Frozen corn, creamed corn, sour cream, sweet cornbread/muffin mix, pepper jack cheese, fresh jalapenos, eggs, butter
- 🍳Method: Oven
- ⭐Difficulty: Easy
- 👩🍳Texture/Flavor: Sweet, creamy, and cheesy with fresh jalapenos and a little kick.
- ☀️Best For: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and potlucks
- ✅Why You'll Love It: Very little prep and only 3 easy steps!
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For more easy holiday sides, try my Southern Cornbread Dressing or Loaded Hash Brown Casserole. Both are crowd-pleasing favorites for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.
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Why You'll Love Corn Casserole with Jalapenos!
- Easy 3-step instructions and very little prep!
- Sweet, spicy, and cheesy - delicious comfort food.
- You can adjust the heat, making it spicier or milder depending on who's eating.
- Plus, it's easy to make ahead, so no last-minute stress.
This casserole also makes a delicious holiday side for my Orange Marmalade Glazed Ham. The sweet, spicy corn pairs perfectly with the savory glazed ham.
Ingredient Notes
Honey butter cornbread mix - or sweet corn muffin mix. I used Zatarain's Honey Butter Cornbread Mix, however, any sweet mix such as Krusteaz Honey Cornbread Mix, or Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix will work fine.
Corn - use both creamed corn (for sweetness and moisture) and frozen whole kernel corn for added sweetness and texture.
Sour cream - adds creaminess to the casserole and keeps it from getting dry.
Pepper Jack cheese - choose the block of Pepper Jack cheese; look at the ingredients to make sure it has bits of jalapeno in it. Then shred it yourself for the best flavor and creamy texture.
Fresh jalapenos - chopped jalapenos go into the casserole, while sliced jalapenos go on top for even more jalapeno flavor and a little extra heat.
Eggs - binds everything together and gives the casserole a little fluff.
Got extra fresh jalapenos? Use them to make my Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball, an easy appetizer that's perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.
Substitutions
We love this corn casserole as is, but sometimes variations are needed. Here's a list of common ingredient substitutions that work well.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (mild or sharp) instead of Pepper Jack
- Canned whole kernel corn or Mexicorn (one 15.25 oz can, drained) instead of frozen corn.
- Sliced, jarred jalapenos instead of fresh.
What Kind of Corn to Use
This recipe was tested using both canned creamed corn and frozen whole kernel corn. I have not tested this recipe with fresh corn, so keep that in mind.
How to Make Jalapeno Corn Casserole
Photo 1: Mix the butter, cream style corn, frozen corn, cornbread mix, eggs, sour cream, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, black pepper, and chopped jalapenos in a large bowl.
Photo 2: Spread the batter into a baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese all over the top of the casserole. Place the jalapeno slices on top of the cheese.
Photo 3: Bake for 30-45 minutes.
Recipe Tips
Control the heat - remove the seeds and membranes from the chopped jalapenos that go inside the casserole for milder heat. Leave them in the jalapeno slices on top if you want a little extra kick.
Shred your own cheese - buy a block of Pepper Jack cheese and shred it yourself; the flavor and texture is much better than the pre-shredded cheese.
Love creamy corn casseroles? Then I have to show you this Easy Corn and Rice Casserole! There's nothing plain about this casserole; it's a 10 on the flavor scale!
Easy Meal Planning
Jalapeno Corn Casserole is the perfect sidekick to this Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf. This cheesy, slightly spicy corn casserole brings bold flavor to balance that hearty main dish!
Pork chops are also a great main to serve with this casserole, and these Buttermilk Pork Chops only take 5 minutes searing per side!
Storing and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids. Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco, available now on Amazon. Reheat in the microwave until nice and hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
This casserole freezes very well! Place leftovers in an airtight container (I place mine into a ziplock bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and place it into another ziplock bag. Write the date on the bag, and use within 3 months.
The texture of jalapeño corn casserole should be soft and creamy, and slightly firm, but not as firm as regular cornbread. It holds together nicely but isn't stiff or crumbly.
It has a little kick, but you can easily control the heat. Remove the seeds and membranes from the chopped jalapenos that go inside the casserole for milder heat. The jalapeno slices on top can be left seeded for extra heat or deseeded for a milder casserole.
More Holiday Side Dishes
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Recipe
Jalapeno Corn Casserole
Equipment
- 9"x13" pan
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 14.75 oz can of cream style corn
- 10 oz frozen whole kernel corn
- 1 ½ `cups honey butter cornbread mix or corn muffin mix I like Zatarian's or 8.5 oz box Jiffy
- 2 eggs
- 8 oz full fat sour cream
- 8 oz block of pepper jack cheese, shredded make sure the ingredient label has jalapeno peppers in it
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoon deseeded and chopped jalapeno peppers about two 3-½" peppers
- 2 sliced jalapenos with seeds you'll need about 18-20 slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9"x13" pan with non-stick spray.
- Place the butter, cream style corn, frozen corn, cornbread mix, eggs, sour cream, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, black pepper, and chopped jalapenos in a large bowl and mix well.
- Pour the batter into the pan and spread out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese all over the top of the casserole. Place the jalapeno slices on top of the cheese.
- Bake for 30-45 minutes. Because ovens can be slightly different, check the casserole after 30 minutes. The edges should be golden brown and the center mostly set. If not yet ready, bake for another 5-15 minutes (in 5-minute increments). Try not to overbake. Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
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