Corn Pudding Casserole

4.6 from 192 votes
(Click the stars to vote)
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This homemade Corn Pudding recipe is a family favorite! Made without corn muffin mix, this creamy corn casserole is naturally gluten free. It is an easy side dish perfect for holiday dinners and weeknight suppers alike!

Our Favorite Corn Pudding Recipe – My Family Has Been Loving it for Years!

In my family, we have been making this recipe for years. Only instead of using a cookbook or finding it on a website, we have been reading it off of a little scrap of paper my mom clipped out of a magazine years ago. It was part of an ad for one of the ingredients. I can’t even attribute it to the exact source, because there are several brand names listed in the recipe. And I have not been able to find it online, despite many searches.

This homemade corn pudding casserole is made with canned corn kernels and creamed corn mixed with sugar, butter, and a hint of seasonings. It’s creamy, sweet, savory, buttery and salty. In other words, it’s REALLY good.

In my family, it is as much a part of my Thanksgiving dinner as the roast turkey and my annual serving of No-Crust Mini Pumpkin Pies. And it is a centerpiece of our Christmas Eve and Easter meals with the ham and my famous Honey Nut Baked Brie cheese.

I will literally forego almost any other dish on any holiday just to get my fill of this corn pudding before it disappears.

And it always disappears. Corn Pudding, I can’t quit you.

A scoop of corn pudding on a spoon over the casserole dish.

What is Corn Pudding?

Corn Pudding is a custard-like side dish from the United States. This particular version contains corn kernels and creamed corn, eggs, sugar, corn starch, butter, and milk. You season it with seasoning salt, dry mustard powder, and dried minced onions.

This all comes together in the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It is a rich and creamy dish, but it still holds its form when you scoop it out onto a plate.

It does differ from the traditional corn casserole recipe, which is light and fluffy, but has a thicker, more cornbread-like consistency from the addition of a boxed corn muffin mix. The difference here is that this corn pudding recipe is made without Jiffy muffin mix, making it naturally gluten free.

Do you eat it hot or cold?

We typically eat corn pudding hot straight out of the oven. However, if your oven is very full on a holiday, know that you can bake this ahead and pop it back in the oven right before it is time to eat.

Some of my family members will occasionally sneak a few cold bites right out of the fridge, though.

A scoop of corn pudding on a plate with green beans, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

The best thing about this recipe is that many of the ingredients can be purchased in advance. This means you don’t have to deal with last-minute crowds in the store before a holiday. Here is a rundown of what you’ll need, but the full amounts and details are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. But keep reading for tips and other helpful information.

  • Corn. This recipe uses canned whole kernel corn and canned creamed corn. You do drain the canned corn kernels. You can also use frozen corn that you have thawed. Do not drain the creamed corn, and be sure to use a brand that is gluten free, if needed.
  • Eggs. If you want to save time cracking eggs (especially if you double the batch) or just want to cut back on the cholesterol, you can use a liquid egg substitute.
  • Sugar.
  • Cornstarch. This is a naturally gluten free thickener.
  • Seasoning salt. Also called seasoned salt or season-all salt. Most brands do not contain gluten ingredients, but may not be manufactured in dedicated facilities. So read the label or check with the manufacturer. You can also make your own.
  • Dry mustard powder.
  • Dried minced onion.
  • Butter. I have used salted and unsalted, but prefer unsalted. You can use margarine, though the flavor is better with butter. The butter should be melted and then slightly cooled.
  • Milk. This recipe has been made with skim, 1%, 2%, and whole milk. It has not been tested with non-dairy milk.
Corn pudding ingredients in bowls and containers on a marble countertop.

How to Make Corn Pudding From Scratch

This sweet corn casserole is super easy to make. Here’s a quick rundown of how to make our family’s favorite corn pudding in your own kitchen!

Preparations. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray your baking dish with cooking spray or oil.

Make the wet mixture. Combine the two kinds of corn and eggs in a large bowl and stir until mixed thoroughly.

Make the dry mixture. Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, seasoned salt, dry mustard, and minced onion together in a small bowl.

Finish the custard mixture. Fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Then stir in the milk and melted butter until evenly mixed.

Bake. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake at 400°F for an hour, stirring once.

Tips for Success

  • Pan size: Corn pudding can be baked in a 9×13 inch glass baking dish, a 3-quart ceramic casserole dish, or even aluminum pans if you want to make cleanup a breeze.
  • Doubling this recipe: You can double the batch when mixing it up, but divide the mixture between two baking dishes before putting it in the oven or it will not cook through in the center.
  • Adjusting cook temperature: This is a pretty forgiving recipe and can bake at whatever temperature you have your oven on based on the other dishes you are making. You’ll just have to adjust the cooking time, baking it longer if your oven is lower, and checking it sooner if it is hotter than 400°F.

Making Corn Pudding in Advance

Yes, you can make it ahead of time. You have a couple of options depending on what works best for you.

  • Just prepare the mixture. Mix everything together and keep it covered in a bowl in the refrigerator overnight. Then just pour it into a baking dish and let it warm up a bit while the oven preheats. It may need an extra few minutes in the oven.
  • Bake and reheat. Prepare and bake the corn pudding as directed. Then reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving. It is pretty forgiving and you can reheat it at pretty much any temperature your oven is set at, between 350°F and 450°F. Just be sure to check on it and take it out once it is heated through.

Storing Leftovers

Homemade corn pudding casserole will last for 3-4 days in the fridge. Store it in an air-tight container or snuggly cover your baking dish with plastic wrap before placing it in the fridge. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave until it is steaming hot.

Since it is custard-based, I would not recommend freezing corn pudding. It is safe to eat when frozen and thawed, but it might end up with an undesirable texture.

Looking down at the baking dish of corn pudding on top of a lacy cloth napkin and a striped placemat.

Make it a Meal

All of these holiday main dishes would pair perfectly with corn pudding casserole as a side dish:

Corn pudding casserole in a glass pan with a spoon laying in it.
A serving spoon in a corn pudding casserole.
4.6 from 192 votes

Corn Pudding

This homemade corn pudding recipe is a family favorite! Made without corn muffin mix, this creamy corn casserole is naturally gluten free. It is an easy side dish perfect for holiday dinners and weeknight suppers alike!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 15 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained or 1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
  • 34 oz. creamed corn (two 17-oz. cans)
  • 5 large eggs, lightly beaten, or 1 1/4 cups liquid egg substitute
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
  • 1/2 cup milk – (I have used skim, 1%, and 2% and all have worked fine)
  • 1/2 cup melted butter margarine, or vegetable oil spread (like Smart Balance)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Spray a 3 qt. casserole dish or 9×13 in. glass baking dish (or even disposable aluminum pan) with cooking spray or oil.
  • In a large bowl, combine the two kinds of corn and eggs.
  • In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cornstarch, seasoned salt, dry mustard, and dried minced onion. Add this mixture to the corn mixture, and stir to combine.
  • Stir in the milk and melted butter.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared dish.
  • Bake for 1 hour, stirring once, or until set and lightly browned, but still soft.
Nutrition Facts
Corn Pudding
Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 225 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Cholesterol 98mg33%
Sodium 667mg28%
Potassium 189mg5%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 420IU8%
Vitamin C 4.5mg5%
Calcium 29mg3%
Iron 0.7mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Categories:

Favorite holiday gluten free side dishes

158 Comments
  1. Linda G

    I was looking for my mother-in-law‘s recipe and came upon this version. This was a hit … my changes: I used regular salt and did not add the dried mustard or minced onion. I also used monk fruit instead of sugar. I think there was too much butter as there was a layer of grease when I took it out of the oven. The consistency was a little soft so I want to try this again because it really was delicious but perhaps I needed to cook it longer. I’m not sure how the monk fruit may have changed the consistency but I’ve been using monk fruit for a while in place of sugar. I did mix prepare it and put it in the casserole and refrigerated it for two hours before cooking. Not sure how that affected it either. Have to try making it without refrigerating it and with a little less butter next time.

    1. I have not tried it with monk fruit, and we often refrigerate it before baking. There is usually a little bubbling butter when it first comes out of the oven which absorbs as it cools a bit, and it is fairly soft, though set, not liquidy. Hopefully this helps you know what to expect.

  2. Gary

    5 stars
    I grew up with mom making this dis for Holidays and special occasions.
    I had restaurants and used this even when I did catering.

  3. Margaret

    5 stars
    Just made this for Thanksgiving tomorrow and realize there will be no left overs so making another pan!. It’s that good!!

  4. Betsy 0

    If I double the recipe what size glass dish or aluminum pan should I use? Also how long should I cook it since it’s doubled? Ty

  5. Janet Rose

    5 stars
    It’s the perfect, classic Southern Corn Pudding. I love that you can make it in advance. Since we put up fresh corn, I used our fresh frozen corn and added in a TBS of flour and 1/2 cup of cream to give that creamed corn feel to it. Not a bite left.

  6. B H

    5 stars
    My family absolutely LOVES this recipe! Must add that dry mustard and dried onion… I add a little extra of these! Yum!

  7. Kennie P. Coco

    Thank u. A pudding not cornbread. Though my grandma is rolling over in her grave a pudding is not cornbread. Excellent. I only adjusted the mixing of this. Eggs cornstarch salt and seasoning whisked vigourly to put air into it adding corn and butter last. I have made it both ways per directions and find my mix method works better since technically it is a soufle type dish. It was more airy adding the corn and butter last. Great recipe. Optional additions are nutmeg or ginger.

  8. Carmie

    Made it last Christmas and everyone loved it. Going to make it again this year. Easy good and delicious what more could you ask for?

  9. BB

    A keeper recipe! Baked it in the toaster oven and it was ready ~10 minutes before timer. Browned up nicely and was a highlight on our plates.

  10. Kathy

    5 stars
    Made this for thanksgiving and it turned out great! I had to increase the baking time (which I often do with my old oven) but it tasted fabulous and it was something my gluten-free niece didn’t have to turn down.

  11. Kathy

    I have been making corn pudding for many years, my original recipe came from a Shaker cookbook I got right here in Kentucky. Now, my nephew’s fiance must eat gluten-free, and I was wondering how to convert my old recipe to accommodate her.
    Have not tried this yet, but will return here after the Thanksgiving meal to give the results. Thanks!

  12. Corinne

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe several times and it is delicious. I am now asked to bring it to any family dinner, whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas or Easter.

  13. Kennie P. Coco

    I like this recipe. I added crushed butter crackers and shredded cheese on top half way through like my great granny did. I did not add pimento cheese this time but it is a good addition. The basic recipe is awesome …Thanks for sharing.

    1. Karra

      I haven’t tried this recipe, but I lost the one I usually make (old recipe, hand written). I use Just Egg for 3 eggs, and Ener-G for the other two. It always turned out!

    2. Vanessa Penland

      Very delicious! Made mine in a crockpot, worked great, just stir every little bit so it won’t stick to the edges. Thanks for sharing, my MIL liked it so much at my house, she requested I bring it for Christmas!🎄

  14. Renee

    4 stars
    Halved recipe: 1 can whole kernel corn, 1/2 can creamed corn, 1/4 tsp. dry mustard,
    1/2 tsp. dry minced onion, 3/4 tsp. Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, 1/4 c. sugar, 1/4 c. melted butter, 2 Tbls. corn starch, 2 1/2 large eggs, and 1/4 c . SOUR CREAM substituted for milk. Awesome! Baked 30 minutes at 400 degrees and stirred. Baked approximately 15 minutes more until set.

  15. t2

    I’m totally making this on the weekend – and adding diced jalapenos and cheddar cheese. I can’t wait, my mouth is watering already!

      1. Stephanie McBrayer

        Thank you for making the recipe so assessible. So I don’t have to scan down through a mile long blog in order to find the recipe. God bless you! And thanks for a great corn casserole!

      1. Kris Downs

        You could use the small cans of corn. I have found them in Walmart and Publix
        2 eggs will be enough unless you want to use liquid egg substitute.

    1. Hi Aubree. I have actually never tried freezing it. I don’t think the texture would turn out very well. You can mix it up a couple of days before and bake it the day of Thanksgiving or bake it right away then reheat the baked casserole. 15-20 minutes in the oven usually does the trick. The edges will get a little more browned, but I actually like it that way!

    2. Kennie P. Coco

      5 stars
      I tried freezing. Unthawing and reheating. The texture was waaaay off. Personally I would not freeze it.

  16. Peggy Love

    If you double this recipe, will it fit in one 9X13 or do you need a second 9X13?? Still cook for an hour or how long if doubled and in one dish??

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Hi Peggy,
      If you fill it to the very top, a 9 x 13-inch pan holds 12 cups (3 quarts) of batter. This recipe will fill it about 3/4 full. If you want to double the recipe, I suggest that you bake it in a 6-quart casserole dish. I like the glass type that you can take from the freezer and put right into the oven. This 8-quart casserole dish on Amazon (affiliate link) looks very well constructed and I love that it has a lid!

  17. StephL

    5 stars
    Made this for Thanksgiving and my husband and I loved it. I wanted something that did not use a box of corn muffin mix as I didn’t want any cornbready texture. This came out so light and fluffy almost like a souffle. Will gladly make again and again, although I may try reducing the sugar a bit. I think it would also be great w green chiles and sharp cheese. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the corn pudding! I love the texture of it as well. Green chiles and cheese sound like delicious additions to the recipe, too!

  18. Karen

    Can’t find 17 oz. cans of cream corn. Most cans of cream corn and corn are 14.34 ozs. Can I use that size for this corn pudding recipe?

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      You definitely can use a smaller size of creamed corn, Karen. I use two small 8oz sized cans.

      1. Joy

        Having never used cornstarch for anything ever, (Hence, don’t have any here at the house, but I’m eager to get cooking) I can’t help wondering what it adds to this recipe.
        Any ideas on this/suggestions for substitutions?

  19. Glenda C. Wheet

    Truly looking forward to making this! Corn Pudding is something we’ve never had on the table at Thanksgiving!! I had a version of this at a sweet little restaurant called The Whistlestop Cafe here in KY. I Loved it, though it was a little too sweet for my taste. I’m hoping that this recipe will be one I make every year from now on!! Thank You! Happy Thanksgiving to All❣️

  20. Sarah Levine

    I was going to ask a question, but then looked it up and found the answer for myself. I thought I’d pass along the knowledge…. I wondered if I could substitute potato starch for cornstarch. Evidently, potato starch doesn’t do well when cooked for a long period of time (as in this recipe). So… asked and answered – now I just need to make the dish!!

  21. Jessica O'Leary

    What is the best way to reheat this? I want to make it for thanksgiving but will need to make ahead as the turkey will be in the oven.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Jessica,
      My suggestion is to cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it into the oven to reheat while your turkey is out resting. It should only take 20 minutes or so at 375.

  22. Cathy

    So excited to see that this is a GF version! Have always loved corn pudding but didn’t know how to convert. Was going to use a GF cornbread mix but I like the sound of the better and the fact is tried and true!!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I hope you enjoy the recipe, Cathy! It’s now one of my favorite side dishes for the holidays.

  23. Sheila

    I’m trying this recipe for Christmas. I’m so tired of green bean casserole. I’m hoping that this is what my southern grandmother used to make. She called it spoon bread. I’ll let you know.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I hope you enjoy the recipe, Sheila. The consistency of this pudding is very much like spoon bread!

  24. Alex Trout

    This is my grandma’s recipe and I had NO IDEA it was gluten-free! Thanks for the “V-8” moment just when I needed one!

  25. dianne

    I’m making this rignt now. I’m staring at the can of corn and all that liquid in it. You don’t mention draining the can of corn so I should just dump it all in? If anyone has the time to answer this that would be great.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m so sorry that I didn’t get back to you sooner, Dianne. I hope that you drained the liquid from the corn and that the recipe turned out well for you.

      1. dianne

        I’m sorry about my post. Your recipe does say to drain the corn–I read it several times and never saw it…my bad.
        I did drain the corn. The corn pudding was good but I had to cook it quite a bit longer to get any browning on the top.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Hi Melissa,
      I haven’t tried making this in a slow cooker, but if you do, I would suggest cooking it on low power so that it doesn’t become rubbery. I can’t give you any idea of cooking time, however. Also, keep in mind that the pudding won’t brown on the top if you make it in a slow cooker.

  26. C Steele

    I, too, have this original recipe cut out on glossy paper and carefully preserved as it’s been a MUST for every Thanksgiving since that McCormick’s ad came out. I was first introduced to this dish by a Southern friend who said it was traditional in South Carolina, and when I found this recipe, I was hooked. I moved recently and my recipes are still in storage, so I was SO happy to find this online. Many thanks for posting it.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m so happy that you found the corn pudding recipe here. Nobody should have to go without this delicious side dish for Thanksgiving! 🙂

  27. Julie Nicolay

    REALLY great dish! I love how the savoury ingredients add to the flavor as opposed to the usual sweet-only that corn pudding so often is (not that that’s a bad thing, hello!). This was a huge hit at an early Thanksgiving potluck last weekend, and I’ll be making it again for Thanksgiving Day with 24 friends, so will be making a triple batch (I’m smart enough to make enough so I can bring some home this time)! This recipe also makes it very easy to successfully add stuff like those bell peppers, scallions, or sweeter things like using canned condensed milk and/or sour cream, etc. But, as my mama always advised, and rightly so, make a recipe exactly as written first, THEN experiment!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m so happy that you found a new recipe to love and make often, Julie! Happy Thanksgiving 🙂

  28. bacarter

    My mother can’t eat whole kernel corn very well. Do you think I could use 3 cans of cream style corn, and maybe adjust the amount of eggs and/or milk? Thanks!

  29. dianne

    Something’s wrong. I’ve attempted to print this recipe 3 times. It prints on two pages, the first page is the ingredients and it is all messed up with symbols over the left side of the ingredients list. Could it be fixed –I’d love to have the recipe?

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I apologize for the inconvenience, Dianne. I’ve corrected the issue and you should be able to print the recipe without a problem now.

  30. Ann from Kentucky

    Our family adds diced green peppers. At Christmas we add red and green peppers. Makes the dish more eye appealing and gives the dish more flavor.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I love your addition of the peppers to the corn pudding, Ann. You are right… what a festive touch!

  31. Kristen Chidsey

    Well, I want a big old scoop of this with some pie (with cool-whip of course!) and then round it out with my sweet potato casserole. The holidays are all about these comfort foods!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Luise, I have not tried to freeze the corn pudding. I’d be inclined to think it won’t freeze well, but it can be mixed a day or two beforehand and either kept in the fridge before cooking, or bake it reheat when you’re ready to serve. It reheats nicely. In fact, I like reheating it in the oven to get the edges even more browned.

      1. Alexandra

        Hey there! I was looking at the comments to see if someone asked this! In your opinion at what temp would you reheat this and how long?! Thank you, I pinned this a while ago but am starting to get all my Thanksgiving recipes sorted out. 🙂

        1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

          Hi Alexandra –
          I suggest reheating the corn pudding at 350 degrees F. Check it after 20 minutes and see if you think it needs additional time to heat all the way through. I hope you enjoy it!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Vanessa, of course, the size of an appetite may vary, but the corn pudding should easily serve 6 people, and up to 8 for smaller servings. Enjoy!

      1. Mommawcheryl

        5 stars
        My mom made this from fresh corn from the garden along with a side of fresh green beans and a pan of cornbread. Sliced fresh tomatoes onions and cucumbers rounded out the meal. This was our meal just about every everyday in the summertime when the garden came in. She made a sweet not savory version. And used self rising flour instead of cornstarch. Also she melted the butter in an iron skillet and poured the mixed ingredients into the butter and baked at 450 along side of a skillet of cornbread. Oh yeah when the new potatoes got so big some were boiled in the beans too. We lived just about totally from our garden in the summer. Then pinto beans with a side of fried potatoes onions and cornbread in winter. And the hogs and beef we butchered

  32. Emily

    This is mccormicks recipe. I clipped this from a newspaper 35 or 40 years ago. It’s a holiday tradition for us. Been making it that long. Awesome yummy a little on the sweet side if that’s how you like it. We do in Kentucky! Happy Days Pal

  33. Amelia

    Happy Thanksgiving!!! This was a home-run at our table today! Good thing I doubled the recipe: I brought home no leftovers!!!

      1. I have never cut it in half, so I’m not sure since it does call for 5 eggs. But you can definitely make it ahead. I’ve mixed it the night before and baked it the day I planned to serve it and baked in advance and reheated to serve. Both work fine.

        1. susan ryan

          Just throwing in my 2 cents! Several folks have asked about cutting the recipe in half. Yes there are 5 eggs in the recipe. Just take a good tablespoon of egg out after you lightly mix them. Problem solved.

  34. Lisa

    I want to make this ahead of time. I have a 2 hour drive. If I keep it in a cooler with ice packs on the drive, do you think it will be ok to pop in the oven and bake once I get to my destination?

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Lisa, I’m so sorry that I didn’t see your comment until now. I hope that you made and enjoyed the corn pudding!

  35. Adie

    Making this for a Christmas dinner with the in-laws today. Looks yummy! Just wanted to confirm whether it’s 4 teaspoons or tablespoons of cornstarch? I’m guessing tablespoons but wanted to be absolutely sure 😉

  36. Angela

    Just came across this!
    My family has been making this recipe for over 20 years!
    It is seriously my FAVORITE food EVER!!!
    Good to know others are enjoying it as well!
    But I have to say the pictures really don’t to it justice…
    It is that good!

  37. Laura

    5 stars
    I was pleasantly surprised/amazed to find this recipe on pinterest, this is a BIG favorite in our house…..I actually still have the original magazine clipping…it was a McCormick recipe featuring the Season-All Salt as TIP#354 (surprisingly they do not feature it on their website)…….one TIP that I would give is that when I DOUBLE the recipe, which I usually do, is to increase the cooking time to 1 1/2 hours, stirring 3 times (since there is more, it needs more time to firm)….the entire family would feel cheated if this was not included on our holiday table

  38. arps

    Hi there! This sounds yummy, do you mind telling me what the consistency is on this? I noticed there was no flour or cornmeal, so was wondering if it’s runny? And approximately how many servings do you get from this recipe? Thanks!

  39. Joyel

    Corn pudding is my family’s tradition at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Your recipe is very close to mine; we don’t put sugar, cornstarch or mustard in mine, but pepper, a little flour, baking soda and crushed crackers on top (with the melted butter over it). A lot of people I meet have never heard of corn pudding.

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