Spicy Corn Casserole

Rows of kernels pop as the knife slices down the ear. Bits of corn are splattered all over the counter. Milky liquid drips into the bowl. More liquid falls as the blade scrapes the ear. It’s a messy process to get corn off the cob. That comes after the hassle of shucking. There is the big hope of not finding the dreaded worm as you pull down the husk. Removing the silk is a chore all by itself. It’s all worth it when you have fresh, just-picked corn. What to do in the off-season? Go get bags of frozen kernels and make spicy corn casserole.

Spices can warm you from the inside out. On the flip side, they can also cool you down. I always wondered why Thai food was so hot and spicy. Come to find out that it makes you sweat which has a cooling effect. Either way, I enjoy spicy food all year long. It’s no matter whether I’m trying to warm up or cool down. Adding a kick of heat to sweet corn is how I take something plain and turn it into a memorable side dish. Jalapeño peppers and Tabasco® sauce make a great sweet/hot balance with corn. Red bell pepper throws in added flavor and a pop of color. Eggs give the casserole a certain fluffiness and bind it together.

A note on the spicy corn casserole: The baking time can vary depending on the dish you use. Glass, ceramic, and stoneware ones have given me a big variation in how long it took to finish. It has varied in the 20 to 30 minute range. You will need to check the casserole as it is baking. Don’t remove it from the oven until the center is set.

Do you freeze fresh corn in the summer? Or do you rely on store-bought frozen corn through the winter months? Either one would work for this casserole, just make sure you have whole kernels to use. If you are looking for more recipes for frozen kernels, take a look at my creamed corn. Both are great side dishes for many meals.

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Spicy Corn Casserole

A recipe for a spicy corn casserole made with corn kernels, jalapeño pepper, hot sauce, and eggs. It is a fluffy casserole with a sweet/hot combination of flavors.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Author Renee

Ingredients

• 5 cups frozen corn kernels thawed and divided
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and finely diced
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 3 drops Tabasco® sauce
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a shallow 2-quart baking dish.
2. Place 2 cups corn kernels and eggs in a food processor fitted with a knife blade. Process until corn is finely ground (will not be completely smooth).
3. Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper. Cook until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat. Add Tabasco® sauce.
5. Bring milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan (do not boil). Remove from heat and stir in the vegetables and remaining 3 cups corn kernels.
6. Add the egg/corn mixture slowly while stirring vigorously.
7. Pour into prepared baking dish and bake until center is set and firm, about 1 hour. Note that baking time can vary depending on baking dish used.

Recipe Notes

You can adjust heat level by using less or more of jalapeño and Tabasco® sauce.