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Garlic Butter Corn Cheese: Creamy Baked Corn Side Dish Recipe

4.4 from 65 reviews

Garlic Butter Corn Cheese is a creamy, cheesy side dish featuring fresh or canned corn sautéed with garlic and butter, then combined with a rich blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and mayonnaise. Baked to bubbly golden perfection and garnished with fresh herbs, it’s the perfect comforting accompaniment or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Corn

  • 4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 68 ears of corn) or 2 cans of corn, drained

Butter and Garlic

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Cheese Mixture

  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise

Seasonings and Garnish

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a kick)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the corn: If using fresh corn, shuck the ears by removing husks and silk. Rinse under cold water thoroughly.
  2. Cut kernels from cob: Stand each ear upright in a bowl and carefully slice off the kernels using a sharp knife. If using canned corn, simply drain it well and set aside.
  3. Melt butter and sauté garlic: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the unsalted butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, taking care not to burn.
  4. Cook the corn: Add the corn kernels to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes if fresh, or 3-4 minutes if canned, stirring occasionally until heated through.
  5. Mix cheese ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and mayonnaise. Blend these together until smooth and creamy.
  6. Season cheese mixture: Stir in chili powder if using, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust flavors as needed.
  7. Combine corn and cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and allow the cooked corn to cool slightly for about a minute. Add the corn to the cheese mixture and stir well until fully combined.
  8. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
  9. Transfer to baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and pour in the corn and cheese mixture, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
  10. Add extra cheese topping: For an extra cheesy finish, sprinkle additional shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the dish.
  11. Bake the dish: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
  12. Cool and garnish: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish.
  13. Serve: Enjoy warm as a side dish or as a creamy dip with tortilla chips, bread, or fresh vegetables.

Notes

  • You can use either fresh or canned corn based on your convenience; fresh corn provides a sweeter, fresher flavor.
  • If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave with a splash of milk to maintain creaminess.

Keywords: Garlic Butter Corn Cheese, cheesy corn casserole, creamy corn side dish, baked cheese corn, side dish recipe