Homemade Creamed Corn
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This homemade Creamed Corn with fresh Parmesan cheese is a perfect old fashioned corn side dish that adds a colorful and rich flavor to any of your main dish meals.
Indulgent and delicious, you cannot go wrong with this mouthwatering corn side dish as your next favorite way to enjoy this buttery veggie smothered in Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients
Here is a brief list of some of the most important homemade cream corn ingredients you need. Please refer to the full printable recipe at the bottom of the recipe for measurements.
- Frozen corn kernels – Bagged frozen corn works best for this recipe because it holds its shape and doesn’t have the same moisture content as canned corn. However, cans of corn work fine if that is all you have. Just be sure to remove all traces of excess moisture the best you can.
- Half and Half – Half and Half works perfectly for the right amount of flavor and texture.
- Salt & black pepper – You cannot have corn without seasoning, and salt and black pepper go great. Feel free to be generous.
- Granulated sugar – Homemade creamed corn has a bit of sweetness, so use plain white granulated sugar.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese – Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the perfect amount of sweetness and create the perfect side dish!
- Fresh parsley (optional) for serving – Parsley leaves make not only a beautiful color splash with all the yellow but taste great. Other topping ideas if you are serving holiday meal are below.
How to make Homemade Creamed Corn
No crockpot or canned corn is needed to make this perfectly delicious homemade cream corn. I’m not too fond of the overly soupy corn that falls out of a can on Thanksgiving (or any) night of the week.
Learn how to make your creamy corn recipe to serve up a delicious side dish recipe tonight!
- Add frozen but thawed corn, Half and Half, salt, sugar, butter, and pepper to a large skillet.
- Mix milk and flour in a small bowl and add frothy mixture to the homemade cream corn mixture.
- On medium heat, cook until bubbling, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, continue to heat/boil, and frequently stir until the cream-style corn mixture is thickened. This doesn’t take long, typically under five min.Feel free to lower heat if it starts to bubble.

- Once the liquid has been reduced and corn becomes more of a cream, you can remove it from heat, add Parmesan cheese, and stir.
- Parmesan will melt into the mixture, stir well to make sure all corn is covered in that cheesy goodness.
- Serve this corn side with fresh parsley or one of the topping suggestions below.
- Also, a little sprinkle of paprika for color or a little cayenne for some heat is delicious.

Can you use Heavy Whipping Cream instead of Half and Half?
You can! Half and Half are equal parts milk and heavy cream, while heavy cream itself is just that. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use only heavy cream instead or look below at adding creamed cheese to this recipe.
Can you use Canned Corn instead of Frozen Corn?
I prefer frozen corn, but you can use canned corn (drain it) in this recipe.
You can also use fresh pressure cooked corn on the cob corn as well. Just make sure your corn is tender and cooked all the way through so you do not break a tooth on your bite!
Remember, different kinds of corn will change how long you cook, and this creamed corn recipe is based on cooked corn and not raw corn cob.
What kind of Toppings for Creamed Corn?
Want to dial up your corn side dish? Serve this creamy corn with bites of bacon, bread crumb topping like Panko, chives, fresh additional Parmesan cheese, shredded cheese, diced jalapenos, or a little bit of crackle pepper.
Another idea is the crunchy onions often used in green bean casserole!
If you need a little color, you can top with parsley (as shown) or even dash paprika, which puts a pretty read sprinkling like a deviled egg.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make creamed corn ahead of time? Yes, this is a great side dish to prepare in advance. You can make it up to 2 days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, reheat it on the stovetop over low heat and add a splash of half and half or milk to loosen it up. It thickens as it cools, so be sure to add that extra liquid when reheating.
How long does creamed corn last in the fridge? You can keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When reheating, use low heat on the stovetop and add a little milk or cream to get the right consistency again.
Can I use canned corn instead of frozen? You can, but frozen corn works better for this recipe. Canned corn is softer and has more moisture, which can make the sauce thinner. If you only have canned corn, drain it very well first. Frozen corn keeps its shape, stays a bit crisp, and gives you a better result.
Can I use heavy whipping cream instead of half and half? Yes, using heavy cream will make the dish richer and thicker. For an even more indulgent version, you can replace the milk and flour mixture with half a block of softened cream cheese. It melts in easily and adds great depth. If you want to lighten it up, use 1% milk instead of half and half, but add a cornstarch mixture to keep the sauce from getting too thin.
How do I make it thicker? Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold water until smooth. Stir it into the skillet one tablespoon at a time while the corn is still hot. Let it cook for a couple of minutes to thicken before adding more.
What to serve with Creamed Corn
Creamed corn pairs well with just about any protein — Alice Springs Chicken, Honey Garlic Chicken, pork chops, or a holiday ham. At Thanksgiving it belongs right next to Sweet Corn Casserole and Green Bean Casserole as part of the full spread.
It’s also a great BBQ side — the creamy, slightly sweet flavor balances anything smoky off the grill. If you’re building out a corn-focused menu, try it alongside Mexican Street Corn for a fun contrast of flavors.

Old Fashioned Creamed Corn with Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 oz. frozen corn
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- dash of cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley optional for serving
Instructions
- Add frozen corn, half and half, salt, granulated white sugar, pats of butter, and black pepper to a large cast iron skillet.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together milk and flour and add to skillet corn mixture.
- On medium heat, cook corn until bubbling, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to heat/boil and stir frequently until mixture is thickened-. This process takes about 5 minutes. If corn hasn't thickened yet, turn down the heat even further and monitor another few minutes.
- Remove creamed corn from stove heat and add shredded Parmesan cheese and mix together until the heat from the dish melts the cheese.
- Serve creamed corn topped with fresh parsley or one of the other suggestions below.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Really awesome recipe! I followed the directions as stated and it turned out great.