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Flavorful Jalapeño Popper Corn Casserole Recipe with Bacon and Crispy Onions Made Easy

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A creamy, cheesy corn casserole with a spicy kick from jalapeños, smoky bacon, and a crispy fried onion topping. Perfect for gatherings and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed (about 600 g)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (225 g)
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (150 g)
  • 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
  • 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (120 ml)
  • ½ cup sour cream (120 ml)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • ½ cup yellow cornmeal (60 g)
  • 3 stalks green onions, chopped
  • 1 cup French fried onions (about 30 g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces. (Pre-cooked bacon can be used to save time.)
  3. Remove seeds from jalapeños for milder heat, then finely chop. For softer texture, sauté jalapeños lightly in bacon fat for 1-2 minutes.
  4. In a large bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth and well combined.
  5. Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese and beaten eggs until fully incorporated.
  6. Add yellow cornmeal, salt, and black pepper to the mixture and stir to combine.
  7. Fold in thawed corn kernels, chopped bacon, chopped jalapeños, and chopped green onions gently to keep texture intact.
  8. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish.
  9. Sprinkle French fried onions evenly over the top for a crispy topping.
  10. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown. If onions brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil after 25 minutes.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to set and slice cleanly.

Notes

[‘Soften cream cheese before mixing for a smoother texture.’, ‘Adjust jalapeño heat by removing seeds or adding more peppers.’, ‘Cook bacon thoroughly for best flavor and texture.’, ‘Use fresh corn in season for natural sweetness.’, ‘Watch the French fried onions during baking to prevent burning; tent with foil if needed.’, ‘Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat covered at 325°F or in the microwave.’, ‘For gluten-free, use gluten-free fried onions or omit topping.’, ‘Vegetarian version: omit bacon and add smoked paprika or chipotle powder.’, ‘Dairy-free version: use dairy-free cream cheese, mayo, and cheese alternatives.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeño popper, corn casserole, bacon, crispy onions, easy casserole, spicy side dish, comfort food

Find it online: https://islatable.com/flavorful-jalape-n-o-popper-corn-casserole-recipe-with-bacon-and-crispy-onions-made-easy/