🧀 Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Corn Casserole

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Creamy, rich, and irresistibly buttery—this corn casserole comes together effortlessly in the slow cooker, making it the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it side for holidays, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.

Servings & Timing

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes

  • Cook Time: 3–4 hours (on LOW)

  • Total Time: ~4 hours

  • Servings: 8

Dietary Badges: Vegetarian | Comfort Food | Slow Cooker | Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Base

  • Fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels

  • Cream cheese, cubed

  • Butter, sliced

  • Milk

→ Seasoning

  • Granulated sugar

  • Salt

  • Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Layer ingredients – Place corn in slow cooker. Top with cubed cream cheese and butter.

  2. Add milk & seasonings – Pour milk over and sprinkle sugar, salt, and pepper on top.

  3. Cook on LOW – Cover and cook for 3–4 hours, stirring occasionally.

  4. Finish & serve – Stir thoroughly before serving to ensure everything is evenly combined and creamy.

Quick Tips

  • Use pre-cut cream cheese for faster melting.

  • Frozen corn can be used straight from the freezer.

  • Stir a couple of times during cooking to smooth out the texture.

💡 Introduction

If you’re looking for a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing side dish, this Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Corn Casserole is a must-make. It’s creamy, cheesy, and perfectly sweet-savory—and it couldn’t be easier. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let the magic happen.

I created this as a Thanksgiving side years ago, but now it shows up at every holiday and potluck. And thanks to a few W-W friendly tweaks, it fits right into your healthy eating plan without sacrificing flavor!

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

🧈 Layer & Let It Cook

Simply dump your corn (no need to thaw frozen), then top with butter, cream cheese, milk, and seasonings. Cover and let the slow cooker do its thing.

Tip: Use a silicone spatula to stir—it scrapes down the sides and mixes smoothly.

🔥 Stir for Creamy Perfection

After about 3 hours, give it a good stir. Everything should be melted and dreamy. If not, let it go a bit longer. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

Tip: For a thicker casserole, leave the lid ajar during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Ingredient Insights & Substitutions

  • Corn: Frozen (no need to thaw), fresh (cut from the cob), or canned (drained) all work.

  • Cream Cheese: Full-fat or 1/3 less fat both melt beautifully.

  • Butter: Salted or unsalted are fine—just adjust salt in recipe.

  • Milk: Whole milk is classic, but 2% works fine. Sub heavy cream for indulgence or unsweetened almond milk for W-W friendly.

  • Sugar: Just a touch for sweetness. Adjust to taste or use a sugar substitute.

Variations & Serving Suggestions

Flavor Variations

  • 🥓 Add crisp bacon bits or crumbled turkey bacon.

  • 🌶️ Stir in chopped jalapeños or green chilies for a spicy twist.

  • 🧄 Sprinkle smoked paprika or garlic powder for depth.

  • 🧀 Mix in shredded cheddar for a cheesy upgrade.

Dietary Tweaks

  • W-W Friendly:

    • Use 1/3 less fat cream cheese

    • Light butter or butter-flavored spray

    • Unsweetened almond milk

    • Reduce sugar or use a sugar-free substitute

  • Dairy-Free: Use plant-based butter and dairy-free cream cheese (like Kite Hill) and milk alternatives.

Serving Ideas

  • Perfect with turkey, ham, grilled chicken, or pork chops.

  • Serve it with cornbread or as a creamy side to chili or pulled pork sliders.

  • Spoon into small ramekins for individual servings at dinner parties!

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating

  • Microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals. Add a splash of milk to revive creaminess.

Freezing

  • Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.

Make-Ahead

  • Assemble ingredients in slow cooker insert and refrigerate overnight. Add 30 minutes to cook time if starting cold.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving – 8 total)

  • Calories: 185 kcal

  • Protein: 5g

  • Carbs: 18g

  • Fat: 12g

  • Saturated Fat: 7g

  • Fiber: 2g

  • Sugar: 8g

  • W-W Points (est.): 6–8 (depending on cream cheese & milk used)

  • Allergens: Dairy

FAQs

Q: Can I make this on HIGH instead of LOW?
A: Yes—cook on HIGH for 1.5–2 hours, stirring halfway. Just watch closely to avoid scorching.

Q: Is this sweet or savory?
A: It’s perfectly balanced! A little sugar highlights the natural sweetness of corn but doesn’t overpower the savory cheese and butter.

Q: Can I double this recipe?
A: Absolutely—just use a larger slow cooker (6+ quarts) and extend the cooking time by ~30–45 minutes.

Q: Can I bake this instead?
A: Yes! Combine all ingredients in a greased 9×13 dish and bake covered at 350°F for 40 minutes, stirring halfway.

🧡 Kristy’s Note

This creamy corn casserole is one of those cozy dishes that brings everyone to the table. It’s rich, comforting, and couldn’t be simpler—no oven space required! Whether I’m making it for the holidays or a BBQ, it’s always a hit. And with a few light swaps, you can enjoy every bite, guilt-free.

More Holiday-Ready Sides

  • W-W Sweet Potato Mash with Maple & Thyme

  • Baked Cauliflower Mac & Cheese (Low Carb)

  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic & Parmesan

💬 Share the Creamy Joy!

Tried this Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Corn Casserole? Tell me how it turned out in the comments! And if you made any fun add-ins, I want to hear about them. Tag your creations on Instagram @KristyCooksHealthy with #CreamyCornGlowUp!

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