Perfect Ina Garten Corn Pudding Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Corn pudding stands as a quintessential comfort food that bridges culinary traditions with creamy, soul-warming elegance.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this delectable side dish for its rich, indulgent texture.

Smooth and luxurious, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular accompaniment that elevates any meal.

Fresh corn kernels provide natural sweetness and depth, while carefully selected dairy components create a silky foundation.

Each spoonful promises a harmonious blend of rustic charm and sophisticated flavors that dance across your palate.

Seasonal ingredients shine brightly in this comforting preparation that speaks to both tradition and innovation: dive into deliciousness.

Why Ina Garten’s Corn Pudding Stands Out

• Savor Creamy Corn Comfort: This pudding delivers a luxurious, silky texture that wraps you in pure culinary comfort, blending sweet corn with rich dairy for an irresistible side dish.
• Quick and Foolproof Cooking: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, home cooks of any skill level can master this recipe in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute gatherings.
• Versatile Flavor Explosion: The combination of fresh corn, sharp cheddar, delicate basil, and smooth ricotta creates a harmonious blend that works beautifully as a side dish for summer barbecues, holiday meals, or elegant dinner parties.

Ingredients for Sweet and Savory Corn Pudding

• Corn, Onion: Sweet corn kernels and diced onions provide the main flavor and texture of the pudding.
• Butter: Creates a rich base for sautéing and adds depth to the overall dish.

• Milk, Half-and-Half, Eggs: Create a creamy custard-like base that helps bind the pudding together.
• Ricotta Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Add creaminess, richness, and a tangy flavor to the pudding.

• Cornmeal: Provides structure and a slightly grainy texture to the pudding.
• Sugar: Balances the savory elements with a touch of sweetness.
• Basil: Adds a fresh, herbal note to complement the corn.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the overall flavor profile.

Making Corn Pudding à la Ina

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously grease an 8-10 cup baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Sauté Corn And Onion

• Corn kernels
• Diced onions

Sauté for 4 minutes until vegetables become slightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 3: Create Creamy Mixture

• Whole milk
• Half-and-half
• Eggs

• Cornmeal
• Ricotta cheese

• Sugar
• Fresh basil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Combine And Top Pudding

Fold sautéed corn into the creamy mixture. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Step 5: Water Bath Technique

Place baking dish inside a larger pan. Fill larger pan with hot tap water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the dish.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Bake for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a knife into center – it should come out clean. The top should appear golden brown.

Step 7: Serve Warmly

Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve immediately as a delightful side dish.

Best Tips for Ina Garten’s Corn Pudding

• Maximize Corn Sweetness: Select ripe, in-season corn for the most vibrant and natural sweetness in your pudding.
• Customize Cheese Flavor: Swap extra-sharp cheddar with gruyère, gouda, or monterey jack to create unique flavor profiles that complement the corn.
• Perfect Custard Blend: Whisk eggs, cream, and seasonings thoroughly to eliminate lumps and ensure a silky, uniform texture throughout the pudding.
• Water Bath Magic: Using a hot water bath prevents the delicate custard from cracking and promotes even, gentle cooking for a creamy result.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the corn pudding up to a day in advance and reheat gently in the oven, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving.

Storage Hacks for Corn Pudding

• Freeze in Individual Portions: Divide leftover corn pudding into single-serving containers before freezing. This smart technique allows easy reheating without thawing the entire batch, perfect for quick weeknight meals or last-minute side dishes.
• Vacuum Seal for Extended Freshness: Use a vacuum sealer to remove air completely from storage containers. This method prevents freezer burn and preserves the pudding's creamy texture and rich flavor for up to 4 months, maintaining its original delicious quality.
• Glass Container Storage: Transfer corn pudding to glass containers with tight-fitting lids for optimal refrigeration. Glass prevents flavor absorption from other foods and provides a clear view of contents, making meal planning and tracking leftovers a breeze.

Creative Corn Pudding Variations from Ina

• Spicy Southwest Corn Pudding: Replace basil with jalapeños and add diced green chiles. Sprinkle pepper jack cheese on top for an extra kick of heat.
• Herb Garden Corn Pudding: Swap basil for fresh thyme and chives. Mix in crumbled goat cheese instead of cheddar for a tangy herbaceous flavor.
• Bacon and Scallion Corn Pudding: Crisp up chopped bacon and fold into the mixture. Garnish with sliced green onions before baking for a savory, smoky enhancement.
• Mediterranean-Style Corn Pudding: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Season with oregano and a touch of garlic for a Mediterranean-inspired version.

Corn Pudding Done Right: The Finale

Golden corn pudding emerges as pure comfort from Ina Garten’s kitchen, blending rustic charm with elegant simplicity.

Southern roots dance through each creamy spoonful, celebrating corn’s natural sweetness and rich texture.

Basil whispers subtle complexity, while cheddar cheese adds robust depth to this beloved side dish.

Kitchen enthusiasts discover Mediterranean-inspired warmth in this classic recipe, transforming modest ingredients into culinary poetry.

Cheese melts into silky ribbons, connecting tradition with modern palate preferences.

Serve this masterpiece alongside grilled meats or as standalone comfort – you’ll want seconds, thirds, and maybe even fourths; share the recipe, comment below, and spread deliciousness with friends who crave authentic home cooking.

Ina Garten Corn Pudding Recipe

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4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s corn pudding brings Southern comfort to any table with its creamy, golden perfection. Silky kernels nestled in a rich custard create a heavenly side dish that promises to elevate your meal and delight dinner companions.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 cups fresh yellow corn kernels cut off the cob (6 to 8 ears)
• 4 extra-large eggs
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ¾ cup (6 ounces) grated extra-sharp cheddar, plus extra to sprinkle on top

Dairy and Binding Ingredients:

• ¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup half-and-half

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly grease an 8- to 10-cup (1.9- to 2.4-liter) baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat, then sauté corn kernels and diced onions for approximately 4 minutes until they become slightly golden and fragrant.
3. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a cooling surface and allow them to rest for a few minutes to prevent overcooking.
4. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together whole milk, half-and-half, and fresh eggs until they are completely integrated.
5. Gradually incorporate cornmeal and ricotta cheese into the liquid mixture, stirring continuously to maintain a smooth, lump-free consistency.
6. Season the mixture with granulated sugar, freshly chopped basil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
7. Fold the cooled corn and onion mixture along with shredded cheddar cheese into the prepared batter, creating a harmonious blend of ingredients.
8. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle additional grated cheddar cheese across the top for enhanced flavor and color.
9. Place the baking dish inside a larger pan and carefully fill the outer pan with hot tap water until it reaches approximately halfway up the sides of the inner dish.
10. Bake the corn pudding for 40 to 45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and checking the center with a knife – it should come out clean when the pudding is fully cooked.
11. Remove from the oven and allow to rest briefly before serving warm, allowing the pudding to set and achieve optimal texture.

Notes

• Swap frozen corn for freshly cut kernels to unlock an explosion of summer sweetness and vibrant texture in your pudding.
• Grate extra-sharp cheddar or blend multiple cheese types to create a rich, complex flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Whisk the custard mixture thoroughly, ensuring no lumps remain and achieving a silky-smooth base before folding in corn and cheese.
• Create a water bath by nestling your baking dish inside a larger pan filled with hot water, guaranteeing even cooking and preventing dry edges.
• Allow the corn pudding to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking, which helps it set and makes serving easier without compromising its creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg