Golden Corn Macaroni and Cheese
- Difficulty: Simple
- Servings: 4 portions
- Overall Time: 55 min
- Preparation: 20 min
- Cooking: 35 min
- Nutritional Information Per Portion: Portion Size 1 of 4 portions | Calories 885 | Total Fat 47 g | Saturated Fat 25 g | Carbohydrates 70 g | Dietary Fiber 5 g | Sugar 8 g | Protein 46 g | Cholesterol 171 mg | Sodium 1217 mg
What You'll Need
- A pair of 8-ounce containers of creamed corn
- 1 cup dairy milk
- 1/4 teaspoon powdered onion, optional
- 1 heaping tablespoon cornstarch powder
- Small pinch ground nutmeg
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 3 dashes spicy sauce, optional, plus extra for serving
- 2 cups small elbow pasta shapes
- 8 ounces shredded mild yellow Cheddar
- 12 ounces shredded mozzarella
- 1 egg, gently whisked
- 1 cup bread cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Preparation Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350 degrees F. Position a single rack at the upper level of the oven.
- In a cooking vessel, gently heat the corn together with the milk and powdered onion, if preferred, for 5 minutes.
- Mix the cornstarch powder with roughly 2 tablespoons of water and combine thoroughly. Pour this mixture into the heated corn and blend over medium-high temperature for 3 minutes. Add seasonings including a touch of nutmeg, salt, pepper and hot sauce to your liking. Remove from heat, cover it and maintain warmth.
- Prepare the small elbow pasta in generously salted boiling water for 4 to 6 minutes. Thoroughly drain the pasta and combine with the corn mixture. Stir in the Cheddar, half of the mozzarella and the beaten egg until uniform. Transfer to a 4-cup baking dish or 12-inch cast iron skillet and top with the remaining mozzarella.
- In a resealable container, gently break apart the bread cubes with a small hammer or rolling tool. Mix the oil with the broken bread pieces and scatter across the surface of the pasta mixture. Bake on the upper rack until golden brown, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Finish with hot sauce before serving.
- This recipe has been developed for home cooks and may vary in results based on ingredient substitutions and cooking methods.
About This Dish
This delightful corn macaroni and cheese recipe delivers comfort in every bitea perfect marriage of creamed corn, tender pasta, and melted cheese. Simple enough for any skill level, yet impressive enough to grace your dinner table, this dish combines mild Cheddar and mozzarella to create a rich, creamy texture that pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the corn.
The cornstarch thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency, clinging beautifully to each pasta piece. Optional onion powder adds subtle depth, while a pinch of nutmeg introduces a warm, slightly sweet undertone that elevates the corn flavor. For heat lovers, hot sauce can be stirred into the sauce or sprinkled on top just before serving. The golden bread cube topping provides delightful textural contrast against the creamy pasta.
Wonderfully versatile, this dish works as a main course or substantial side at family gatherings. Four generous servings mean you'll have this comforting meal on the table in under an hour. Each serving delivers approximately 885 calories with balanced protein from cheese and egg, carbohydrates from pasta, and dietary fiber from the corn.
Make it your own: Try adding crispy bacon bits, fresh chives, parsley, or diced jalapeos. Prefer bolder flavors? Swap in sharp Cheddar instead. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability to your taste preferences.
