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Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole is already one of the most beloved holiday side dishes, but making it in the slow cooker might be my favorite version yet. It’s rich, creamy, buttery, and packed with sweet corn flavor, all while freeing up valuable oven space for the rest of your holiday meal.
With just 6 simple ingredients and almost no prep work, this Crock Pot corn casserole is made for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any family gathering. Just mix everything together, let the slow cooker do its thing, and add plenty of melty cheddar at the end.
Why You’ll Love This Corn Casserole
- Just 6 ingredients: Everything goes together in minutes.
- No oven needed: Save that precious oven space for the turkey, rolls, and pies.
- Perfect texture: Creamy and buttery inside with plenty of sweet corn in every bite.
- Great for a crowd: An easy side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or potlucks.
- Make-ahead friendly: Mix everything ahead of time so there’s even less to do on the big day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Paula Deen’s corn casserole is how such simple ingredients turn into something so good. It’s somewhere between cornbread and corn pudding, with a creamy center and plenty of sweet corn.
- Creamed Corn: Adds moisture, sweetness, and that signature creamy texture.
- Frozen Sweet Corn: Gives you little bursts of corn and more texture throughout the casserole.
- Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: The shortcut that gives the casserole its slightly cornbread-like texture.
- Sour Cream: Keeps the casserole rich, creamy, and moist.
- Butter: Because it’s Paula Deen’s corn casserole. You KNOW there’s butter. 😂
- Cheddar Cheese: Melts over the top for the perfect savory finish.
How to Make Slow Cooker Corn Casserole
This easy Crock Pot corn casserole couldn’t be simpler. Just mix the ingredients, let the Crock Pot do the work, and finish with cheese for a creamy, comforting side dish everyone will love.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the creamed corn, frozen corn, Jiffy corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter until well combined.
- Cook: Pour the mixture into a greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 4 hours, until the casserole is set and cooked through.
- Add the cheese: Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top during the last 20 minutes of cooking. Replace the lid and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Scoop and serve warm.
Variations and Substitutions
Give It Some Heat: Add diced jalapeños or green chiles.
Change the Cheese: Try Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack.
Make It Savory: Add cooked crumbled bacon or diced ham.
Add Fresh Herbs: Finish with chopped chives or green onions.
What to Serve with Corn Casserole for the Holidays
Corn casserole works with just about everything on a holiday table. Here are a few of our favorites:
How to Make Corn Casserole in the Oven
Prefer to bake it? Reduce the creamed corn to 1 can, the frozen corn to 1½ cups, and the Jiffy mix to 1 box. Keep the remaining ingredients the same.
Pour into a greased casserole dish and bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set. Sprinkle the cheese over the top during the last 5 minutes.
Troubleshooting Slow Cooker Corn Casserole
First, don’t panic if it looks a little loose when you remove the lid. Corn casserole continues to set as it cools. Let it rest uncovered for 10-15 minutes before serving.
If the center is still very wet, it likely needs more cooking time. Slow cookers can vary quite a bit, so use the texture rather than the clock as your final test.
The edges cook faster than the center in a slow cooker. If the outside looks done but the middle is still wet, replace the lid and continue cooking in 15-20 minute increments until the center is set.
Also make sure you aren’t lifting the lid repeatedly while it cooks. Every peek releases heat and can increase the cooking time.
Slow cookers heat from the sides, so some browning around the edges is normal and honestly, those crispy pieces are my favorite.
If your Crock Pot tends to run hot, start checking the casserole early. Don’t wait for the center to become completely firm or the edges may overcook before you take it off the heat.
The most likely culprit is overcooking. Slow cookers vary in temperature, and a casserole can go from perfectly creamy to dry around the edges if it cooks too long.
Start checking before the listed cooking time is up, especially if you know your slow cooker runs hot.
Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating
Make Ahead: Mix the casserole ingredients, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Transfer to the slow cooker when you’re ready to cook.
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat a larger amount in the oven until heated through.
Freeze: Freeze tightly wrapped portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Corn Casserole FAQs
They’re similar, but corn casserole is typically a little firmer thanks to the corn muffin mix.
Yes. Drain canned corn really well before adding it to the mixture.
Yes! If your slow cooker is large enough, you can double the recipe for bigger holiday gatherings. You may need to increase the cooking time slightly.
If there’s one thing I want during the holidays, it’s a side dish that practically takes care of itself. This slow cooker corn casserole is creamy, buttery, loaded with sweet corn, and doesn’t steal an inch of precious oven space. Make it for Thanksgiving and don’t be surprised when you’re scraping an empty Crock Pot by the end of dinner!
More Side Dishes to Try
Watch How This Recipe is Made…
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