For as long as I can remember, any major meal (including Sunday dinner) wasn't complete without my Grandma Betty's scalloped corn recipe. Now I make this comfort casserole whenever family's here.
Not to be confused with cornbread casserole, we called my grandma’s scalloped corn recipe “corn casserole.” You might be more familiar with scalloped potatoes, but this country-style corn casserole is one that’s been in my family for generations.
Like most casserole recipes, the ingredient combo sounds strange. But when all mixed up and baked to perfection, it’s all delicious!
Grandma Betty’s Scalloped Corn Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk
1 can cream style corn
10 saltine crackers, crumbled
1 egg, beaten
The Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F. I use a greased 9×9 casserole dish when I make this, but an 8×8 should work as well (but you may need to adjust baking time).
In a separate bowl, add half the saltines, the corn, 1-1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, the milk and the eggs.
I do this so my 4-year-old can mix up the (pre-measured) ingredients. I love the idea of cooking together and passing on a traditional family dish! Here are 10 other meals kids can help make.
Julia K. Porter for Taste of Home
Baking and Waiting
Pour mixture into casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining saltine crumbles and cheese on top. Bake the scalloped corn for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown. (I think this is particularly yummy paired with chicken—try one of these chicken skillet recipes!)
The Final Product
My grandma used more milk and tossed in as much cheese as she felt it needed that day, so the consistency wasn’t always the same. That didn’t stop us from loving it—but if I serve something too runny to my kid, it’s a no-go. So I’ve managed to figure out the perfect milk-to-cheese ratio.
Grandma Betty’s scalloped corn recipe is still a fan favorite in my house. I tend to make this on chilly days and serve it often when temperatures dip below freezing. It’s still the perfect comfort food to share with family and friends!
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Six-Layer DinnerI originally came across a five-layer version of this dish at a Home Extension program. I increased the ground beef and added the celery myself, and my family prefers this version.—Charlotte McDaniel, Williamsville, Illinois
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Chicken Zucchini CasseroleA co-worker shared this chicken zucchini casserole recipe that was originally her grandmother's. When I make it, I use precooked chicken from the grocery store and fresh zucchini my neighbor gives me from his garden. —Bev Dutro, Dayton, Ohio
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Rivel SoupFor years, I'd been trying to figure out how my grandmother made her rivel soup. Then I discovered that it wasn't just something she came up with, but a prized heirloom recipe. Many families have their own special version. —Kathy Kegley, Rural Retreat, Virginia
Grandma's Cajun Chicken & SpaghettiI’m originally from Louisiana, where my grandma spoke Cajun French as she taught me her spicy chicken spaghetti. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Grandma's Seafood ChowderMy grandmother makes this every year for Christmas morning—the only time we ever had it. Why wait, when you can enjoy this satisfying chowder anytime? It's also delicious topped with biscuits! —Melissa Obernesser, Utica, New York
Greek-Style Lemon-Garlic ChickenI love celebrating my Greek heritage with this super simple and scrumptious Sunday dinner idea. Prep time is a breeze and the ingredient list is relatively short for such a flavorful one-dish meal. Each time I make this I'm transported back to my ya-ya, who gave me the special honor of squeezing the lemons! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Lemony Mushroom Orzo SoupMy grandmother used to make a similar classic Greek soup, avgolemono, every Sunday after church. Here’s my version of her recipe. The kids and I came up with this variation while experimenting with different ingredients. I think my yia-yia would be proud. —Nick Haros, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
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Hungarian GoulashTalk about your heirloom recipes! My grandmother made this Hungarian goulash recipe for my mother when she was a child, and then Mom made it for us to enjoy. Paprika and caraway add wonderful flavor, and sour cream gives it a creamy richness. It’s simply scrumptious! —Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida
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Deep-Dish Sausage PizzaMy grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband, our family and me. —Michele Madden, Washington Court House, Ohio
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TourtieresSome time ago, a co-worker brought a meat pie to lunch. The aroma was familiar—after one taste, I was amazed to discover it was the same pie my grandmother used to serve when I was a youngster! She shared the recipe, and I have been enjoying it ever since. —Rita Winterberger, Huson, Montana
Spinach Turkey MeatballsOur children call these "Gramby Meatballs" because the recipe came from my dear mother-in-law. It's a great way to make spinach palatable. I usually make a triple batch, bake them all and freeze the extras for a quick meal later. —Mimi Blanco, Bronxville, New York
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Pork Chops & MushroomsMy mother-in-law gave me this recipe years ago, and I have used it ever since. My family loves the sweetness with a little kick.—Hilary Rigo, Wickenburg, Arizona
Dr. Julia Porter began her career as a high school English teacher in Brooklyn, NY and has taught college courses since 2008. Her personal interests include reading, writing, traveling and experiencing new cultures. She lives in Indiana with her husband, daughter and a rambunctious Australian Shepherd.
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