This easy to make gluten-free corn casserole is the perfect sweet and savory side dish for your next Thanksgiving meal or potluck! Everyone loves this creamy cornbread dish filled with corn kernels. It's made from scratch without the need for a gluten-free cornbread mix!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This nostalgic dish, also referred to as corn spoonbread or corn soufflé, is traditionally served around Thanksgiving or for large family gatherings because it makes such a large quantity of cornbread-like goodness, but you don't have to save it just for holiday dinners!
Serve this gluten-free cornbread casserole along with a big bowl of gluten-free chili on a cold night or with a roasted chicken as a simple side dish for Sunday dinner. Also, consider bringing it to your next potluck or football tailgate party! This corn pudding recipe is the perfect side dish the whole family will love!
If you love cornbread, be sure to check out these fluffy gluten-free cornbread muffins and this gluten-free cornbread stuffing!
If you're planning your gluten-free Thanksgiving menu, don't miss out on this gluten-free sweet potato casserole or these fluffy gluten-free Hawaiian rolls! Also, check out this list of gluten-free potluck recipes to get some ideas for more side dishes!
Ingredients and Dietary Substitutions
- Jiffy cornbread mix: The original recipe calls for a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix. Traditional Jiffy corn mix is not gluten-free. This gluten-free version is made from scratch, without a cornbread mix, which is very easy to do and doesn't add much extra time to the entire process. Plus, it is much more cost effective than buying the gluten-free mixes from the grocery store, which all come in different sizes. This from scratch version includes:
- Gluten-free flour blend: Use a gluten-free flour blend for baking that has xanthan gum or another binder already included. I've tested this with a few different brands, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 gluten-free flour. All have worked just fine.
- Yellow Cornmeal: Look for a gluten-free yellow cornmeal or an allergen statement to make sure your cornmeal is ok for gluten-free.
- Canned Sweet Corn or whole corn kernels. Fresh corn is an option if you have it available. Cook fresh corn in the Instant Pot, or by your preferred method, then remove the kernels from the cobs before adding to the recipe.
- Canned Creamed Corn: May also be labeled cream style corn. While this corn is typically thickened with cornstarch, it is still a good idea to double-check the labels.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks and dairy-free sour cream.
- Egg-Free: You can eliminate the eggs in this recipe, which will result in a more creamy dish, similar to a corn pudding.
- Vegan: Follow both the dairy-free and egg-free substitutions.
Equipment Needed
You won't need any special equipment for this recipe. This easy recipe is perfect for beginner cooks or kid helpers!
- 2 quart casserole dish or 9 x 13 inch baking pan
- large mixing bowl
- wooden spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
- nonstick cooking spray
Variations
This classic comfort food side dish is slightly sweet but somewhat plain in flavor, think of a corn-filled cornbread. If you'd llike to jazz it up you can try these variations!
- Cheesy corn casserole: Stir in 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese or a cheddar blend. Sprinkle some extra cheese on top of the casserole.
- Spicy: Stir two finely diced jalapeño peppers into the mix.
- Southwest: In a small pan, sauté ½ cup diced red bell pepper and ½ cup diced onion. Stir the sautéed peppers and onions along with a 4 ounce can of diced green chiles and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture before baking.
- Boost of flavor: Add 1 tablespoon dried minced onion into the mixture.
- Extra sweet: Increase the sugar to ½ cup.
How to Make Cornbread Casserole
Prepare this simple recipe in just 4 easy steps, all in one-bowl!
- Step 1: Whisk the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Dump in the remaining ingredients.
- Step 3: Stir it up.
- Step 4: Pour the corn mixture into greased casserole dish and bake!
Can I make corn casserole in a slow cooker?
Yes! While traditionally you would bake this casserole in the oven, you can cook this casserole in a slow cooker or crock pot as well! Cook on high for 2 ½ hours or on low for 4 hours.
This is a great option for Thanksgiving when oven space may be limited.
How to Make Ahead
- You can mix up this casserole one day in advance.
- Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate it.
- Remove the pan from the refrigerator to bring to room temperature about 30-60 minutes before you put it in the oven.
- If the casserole is still cold, it may take some extra time to bake.
I do not recommend to bake ahead and serve the next day, this side dish is best fresh. If you are making this for Thanksgiving but don't have room in the oven, consider baking your side dishes after you remove the turkey from the oven and while the turkey rests, or cook it in the crock pot.
How to Store
Refrigerate leftover corn casserole 3-4 days or freeze for several months. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers tightly wrapped or in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
FAQ
Most creamed corn is naturally gluten-free and thickened with corn starch. It is always a good idea to check labels, just in case.
Canned corn is naturally gluten-free. Double-check labels to be sure nothing was added.
While cornmeal is naturally gluten-free, it could be processed on shared equipment with wheat products.
For this reason, it is best to check the labels for a gluten-free claim or an allergen statement. The safest options are Bob's Red Mill and Arrowhead Mills, which make gluten-free cornmeal.
Yes, Jiffy corn muffin mixes contain gluten from wheat flour. They do not have a gluten-free mix at this time.
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More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes
I hope you enjoy this gluten-free corn casserole recipe your next holiday meal! It's sure to become a favorite side dish recipe for Thanksgiving dinner! You might also like these cheesy au gratin potatoes or this traditional gluten-free stuffing.
Recipe
Gluten-Free Corn Casserole
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ⅔ cup gluten-free flour blend, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure, Namaste Perfect Blend, or Bob's Red Mill 1:1
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn , drained
- 1 (15 oz) can cream-style corn, not drained
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
- Dump in the remaining ingredients.
- Stir until combined.
- Pour into a greased casserole dish. Bake at 375°F for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown on top and set in the center.
Notes
- Dairy-Free: Substitute Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks and dairy-free sour cream.
- Egg-Free: You can eliminate the eggs in this recipe, which will result in a more creamy dish, similar to a corn pudding.
- Vegan: follow both the dairy-free and egg-free substitutions.
- Cheesy: Stir in 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese or a cheddar blend. Sprinkle some extra cheese on top of the casserole.
- Spicy: Stir two finely diced jalapeño peppers into the mix.
- Southwest: In a small pan, sauté ½ cup diced red bell pepper and ½ cup diced onion. Stir the sautéed peppers and onions along with a 4 ounce can of diced green chilies and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture before baking.
- Boost of flavor: Add 1 tablespoon dried minced onion into the mixture.
- Extra sweet: Increase the sugar to ½ cup.
Lisa
Made it for a baby shower and everyone loved it! I have made it 3 times now, it’s easy & delicious!
Marie
This was delicious! Wasn’t sure it needed it, but I added about 1/4 tsp. of xanthan gum since my gluten-free flour doesn’t have any. It turned out great anyway.
Marty
Doubled the recipe and did one with cheese and one without - both in smaller crockpots. Both were great and ended up being in for an additional hour (past the 4 hour low) on warm waiting for everything else to be ready and they held up perfectly. Thank you so much for a great recipe!
Katie | Wheat by the Wayside
So glad you enjoyed it!
Barb
Made this for our Christmas family gathering. It was delicious. Everyone enjoyed it.
Katie | Wheat by the Wayside
So happy you enjoyed it, Barb! 😉