Mexican Street Corn Casserole: Your New Favorite Side Dish

Craving a side dish that’s both incredibly easy to make and bursting with flavor? Look no further than this Mexican Street Corn Casserole! Inspired by the vibrant and beloved flavors of authentic Mexican street corn, this casserole recipe takes the classic elote experience and transforms it into a creamy, dreamy, and utterly irresistible dish. Imagine all the deliciousness of Mexican street corn, but in an easy-to-serve casserole form that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or your next backyard barbecue. And the best part? You can have this flavorful side whipped up and ready for the oven in just about 5 minutes, with minimal cleanup afterwards! Get ready to discover why this Mexican Street Corn Casserole is about to become a staple in your recipe rotation.

What is Mexican Street Corn Casserole? A Deconstructed Elote Delight

If you’re familiar with Mexican street food, you’ve likely encountered Elote, or Mexican Street Corn. Traditionally, Elote is a grilled or roasted corn on the cob, generously slathered with mayonnaise, sprinkled with chili powder, spices, and finished with crumbled cheese, typically Cotija or Queso Fresco. It’s a handheld explosion of flavor that’s incredibly popular throughout Mexico and beyond.

This Mexican Street Corn Casserole takes all those iconic flavors and deconstructs the traditional street corn into an easy-to-eat and shareable casserole. It captures the creamy texture, the tangy zest, and the delightful spice of Elote, transforming it into a comforting and crowd-pleasing side dish. Think of it as your favorite Mexican street corn, reimagined for a casserole dish! It’s the perfect way to enjoy those authentic flavors without the mess of corn on the cob, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.

Crafting Your Mexican Street Corn Casserole: Ingredients and Simple Steps

Let’s dive into how to bring this flavorful casserole to life. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You’ll be amazed at how easily a few key ingredients can come together to create such a rich and satisfying side dish. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and the straightforward steps to follow:

Key Ingredients for Authentic Flavor

Frozen Corn, Thawed: A large, family-size bag of frozen corn forms the hearty base of this casserole. Thawing the corn beforehand ensures even baking. In a pinch, you can quickly thaw frozen corn in the microwave. Alternatively, canned corn (drained) or fresh corn kernels, cooked and cut from the cob, are excellent substitutes.
Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is essential for the signature creamy texture of Mexican Street Corn Casserole. Don’t worry, the casserole won’t taste overtly like mayonnaise; it blends seamlessly with the other flavors. Light mayonnaise can be used, but Miracle Whip is not recommended due to its distinctly sweeter flavor profile.
Sour Cream: Sour cream adds another layer of creaminess and a touch of tanginess that complements the other ingredients perfectly. Light sour cream works just as well if you prefer.
Spices: A carefully balanced blend of spices is what truly elevates this casserole to Mexican Street Corn status. Chili powder provides warmth and depth, garlic powder adds savory notes, salt enhances all the flavors, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) introduces a pleasant kick. For a family-friendly version, especially if serving children, you can omit or significantly reduce the cayenne pepper.
Queso Fresco, Grated or Crumbled: Queso Fresco, a fresh Mexican cheese, is the traditional choice for authentic Elote flavor. Look for it in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store. If Queso Fresco is unavailable, Parmesan cheese can be used as a substitute, although it has a different flavor profile. Cotija cheese, being closer in flavor and texture to Queso Fresco, is also an excellent alternative.

For a fresh and vibrant garnish:

Fresh Cilantro, Chopped: Fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous note that beautifully complements the richness of the casserole. While some may have an aversion to cilantro, it’s a classic element of Mexican street corn and highly recommended.
Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving adds a final touch of zesty acidity that brightens all the flavors and completes the authentic Mexican Street Corn experience.

Step-by-step guide to prepare Mexican Street Corn Casserole, showing corn in a casserole dish, mixing ingredients, topping with cheese, and baked casserole garnished with cilantro.

Simple Recipe Steps: One Dish Wonder

One of the greatest things about this Mexican Corn Casserole is its simplicity and minimal cleanup. You can prepare and bake it all in one dish!

Prepare the Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the thawed corn into a large casserole dish, such as a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 2.5-3 quart casserole dish.
Combine Ingredients: Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and half of the Queso Fresco to the casserole dish with the corn.
Mix Well: Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together, ensuring everything is well combined and the corn is evenly coated in the creamy mixture. Scrape down the sides of the dish as needed.
Bake and Garnish: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the edges are bubbly. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining Queso Fresco over the top. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving.

Variations to Spice Things Up: Customize Your Casserole

While this classic Mexican Street Corn Casserole is delicious as is, there are plenty of fun variations you can explore to tailor it to your taste and preferences:

Jalapeño Street Corn Casserole (Spicy Kick): For those who love a bit of heat, add diced jalapeño peppers to the corn mixture before baking. For a milder flavor, diced green chilies can be used instead.
Loaded Elote Casserole (Hearty and Flavorful): Take your casserole to the next level by sautéing diced onions and bell peppers until softened. Add these sautéed vegetables to the corn mixture along with diced green chilies and crumbled bacon (optional) for a truly loaded version. Top the baked casserole with sliced jalapeños and diced green onions for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Spicy Mexican Corn Casserole (Amped-Up Heat): To really turn up the heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the spice blend. For even more spiciness, add red pepper flakes and diced jalapeños to the corn mixture.

Serving Suggestions: Perfect Pairings for Your Casserole

This Mexican Street Corn Casserole is an incredibly versatile side dish that pairs wonderfully with a wide range of main courses. It’s a natural complement to Mexican-inspired dishes, but it’s also fantastic alongside classic American fare. Its crowd-pleasing nature makes it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, barbecues, and any occasion where you need a flavorful and easy side dish.

Here are some meal ideas that are particularly delicious with Mexican Street Corn Casserole:

Grilled Meats: Serve alongside grilled chicken, steak, or pork for a vibrant and flavorful summer meal.
Tacos and Fajitas: A perfect side for taco night or fajita feasts, enhancing the Mexican flavors of the meal.
BBQ Favorites: Pairs beautifully with BBQ ribs, pulled pork, or burgers, adding a creamy and flavorful counterpoint to smoky meats.
Chicken or Fish Dishes: Complements baked or pan-seared chicken or fish, adding a flavorful and satisfying side to lighter main courses.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers of this delicious Mexican Corn Casserole, you’re in luck! It reheats beautifully and can be enjoyed again the next day. Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat, microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat larger portions covered in an oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions: Your Casserole Queries Answered

Can I halve the recipe? Absolutely! This recipe makes a generous amount, perfect for a crowd. If you’re cooking for a smaller group, you can easily halve all the ingredients to make a smaller casserole that serves around 4 people.
Can I make it lighter? This recipe is inspired by the rich flavors of traditional Mexican Street Corn. While you can use light sour cream and mayonnaise to reduce the fat content slightly, be aware that it may subtly impact the overall richness and flavor of the dish.
Can I use canned or fresh corn? Yes, you can substitute frozen corn with an equal amount of canned corn, ensuring it’s well-drained. Fresh corn kernels, cooked and cut from the cob, are also an excellent option, especially during corn season.
What exactly is Mexican Street Corn? Mexican Street Corn, or Elote, is a beloved street food in Mexico. Traditionally, it’s an ear of corn, grilled or roasted, and then generously coated with mayonnaise, spices, crumbled cheese, and often a squeeze of lime juice.

Explore More Easy Side Dish Recipes

If you enjoyed this Mexican Street Corn Casserole, you’ll be happy to know there are many more easy and delicious side dish recipes to discover! Whether you’re looking for more corn recipes, Mexican-inspired sides, or simply easy recipes for busy weeknights, there’s something for everyone.

We hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you give it a try, we’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or tag us in your Instagram photos @easyfamilyrecipes – we love seeing what you’re cooking up! And if you’re looking for more recipe inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to sign up for our email list click here to sign up.

Detailed Recipe Card

Ingredients:

32 oz frozen corn, thawed
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1.5 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
5 oz Queso Fresco, grated or crumbled

For Garnish:

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Fresh lime juice, to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Pour thawed corn into a large casserole dish. Mix in mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and half of the Queso Fresco until well combined.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until heated through and edges are bubbly.
Sprinkle remaining Queso Fresco over the casserole and garnish with chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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Nutrition Information:

Calories: 289kcal (14%), Carbohydrates: 28g (9%), Protein: 7g (14%), Fat: 18g (28%), Saturated Fat: 5g (31%), Cholesterol: 25mg (8%), Sodium: 393mg (17%), Potassium: 386mg (11%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 450IU (9%), Vitamin C: 8.4mg (10%), Calcium: 122mg (12%), Iron: 1mg (6%)