Fab Recipe: Creamy Corn Casserole
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • For the Topping:
  • ¼ cup Land O' Lakes unsalted butter
  • 1 cup coarsely crushed Ritz Crackers
  • 1 cup coarsely crushed White Cheddar Cheez-It
  • For the Sautéed Corn Mixture:
  • ¼ cup Land O' Lakes unsalted butter
  • 1 cup finely chopped leeks, white part only
  • 1 large red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 large green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 large yellow bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and finely diced or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups fresh sweet corn kernels or 2 (10 ounce) bags frozen sweet corn
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • For the Cream Sauce:
  • 3 Tablespoons Land O' Lakes unsalted butter
  • 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 quart half & half
  • 8 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • Kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
  2. Have your 9-inch round CorningWare baking dish ready to go.
For the Topping:
  1. In a small sauté pan, melt the butter over low heat.
  2. Add the crushed Ritz crackers and Cheez-It.
  3. Stir until well combined.
  4. Take it off the heat.
  5. Set aside.
For the Sautéed Corn Mixture:
  1. In a large sauté pan, melt butter over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the leeks and sauté until slightly softened.
  3. Add the bell peppers and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Add the jalapeños and garlic, cook until fragrant, about 30 more seconds.
  5. Add the sweet corn kernels, cook for 2 minutes while stirring constantly.
  6. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
  7. Set aside.
For the Cream Sauce:
  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the flour and stir with a wire whisk for 1 minute or so. FAB TIP: It's important to cook the flour and butter mixture in the specified time to avoid the starchy aftertaste.
  3. Gradually pour the half-half while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Lower the heat to a simmer.
  6. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted.
  7. Season with freshly grated nutmeg, kosher salt and black pepper. FAB TIP: There is nothing like using freshly grated nutmeg for this recipe. The flavor and aroma it gives the cream sauce is paramount compared to the pre ground one.
  8. Let the mixture come to a gentle boil and thicken.
  9. Set side.
To Assemble:
  1. Place all the sautéed corn mixture in your 9-inch round Corning Ware baking dish.
  2. Pour the cream sauce over it.
  3. Put foil on top.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly on the edges.
  5. Remove the foil.
  6. Place the buttered crumbs to completely cover the top.
  7. Bake for another 10 minutes or until golden brown on top.
  8. Serve immediately.
Recipe by Fab Food Chicago at https://www.fabfoodchicago.com/fab-recipe-creamy-corn-casserole/