Corn and Popcorn Bake
What Started it all:
Corn and popcorn bake
This delightful and unique dish combines the sweetness of corn with the crunchy texture of popcorn. Perfect for a fun family dinner or a casual get-together, this recipe serves 4 people.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1 cup of popcorn (already popped)
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1/4 cup of butter
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/4 cup of chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously to form a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes, until it turns a light golden color.
- Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to the sauce, and stir well.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely and the sauce is smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the corn kernels with the cheese sauce.
- Transfer the corn and cheese mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the popped popcorn evenly over the top of the corn mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and the dish is heated through.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
This Corn and Popcorn Bake is a fun and delicious twist on a traditional corn casserole. The combination of creamy corn and crunchy popcorn creates a delightful texture and flavor contrast that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Enjoy!