Cornbread Pudding Recipe

Corn pudding is one of my favorite side dishes, reserved for special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. It’s the ultimate Southern comfort food and can always be found at any Southern Thanksgiving table, it’s just not Thanksgiving without it.

At our house when there’s just the four of us, we each get to pick a side for Thanksgiving, and mine is always corn pudding either this version or a more traditional corn pudding recipe. So for dinner, I experimented with a new corn pudding recipe with cornbread and boy was it a hit. I’ve made it several times since and everyone begs for the left-overs.

What makes this different from traditional homemade corn pudding is toasting cubes of cornbread first and adding them to your mixture of cream, eggs and corn. It’s a cross between bread pudding and corn pudding.

I love it so much that I make it throughout the year, not just at Thanksgiving. Try serving it with braised short ribs or pork marsala to change things up.

Why you’ll love this Cornbread Casserole Recipe

• Corn pudding is a Southern classic for good reason
• It’s important to have a comfort food that will compliment your traditional ham or turkey and this dish fits the criteria
• The recipe makes a large portion which is great if you’re feeding a crowd and it freezes and reheats without affecting the texture.
• If you enjoy making cornbread for your family, you can make a double batch. Enjoy one to go along with a bowl of chili and then freeze the second until you’re ready to make this side dish recipe.

Cornbread Pudding Ingredients

• Cornbread – I generally buy it pre-made from the grocery but you can make your own. My favorite is Browned Butter Cornbread, just leave out the corn. Have it prepared and cooled. You will need 6 cups.
• Corn – fresh is best but if you don’t have it available, which I don’t in November, frozen will work
• Cheese – cheddar and parmesan cheese are the perfect finishing touches to this dish
• Pantry staples – cream, milk, butter, eggs, and sugar.

Now you can see why it is so delicious!

I use pre-made cornbread from Fresh Market or Whole Foods to save some time in putting mine together.

How to make Corn Bread Pudding

Step 1

Cut the prepared cornbread into cubes and toast them in the oven for about 20 minutes until all sides are golden brown.

Step 2:

Sauté the corn in a skillet until tender, about 5 minutes.

Step 3:

Whisk together cream, milk, eggs and sugar.

Step 4:

Combine the toasted cornbread and cooked corn in a casserole dish and pour the custard over the cornbread mixture and if you want, you can top with grated cheese. I like it both ways. Sometimes I go half and half to please my non cheese lovers.

Step 5:

Bake for 40-45 minutes until the custard is set and the top is golden.

You still get the custard you expect from creamy corn pudding but with a flavor boost from the toasted cornbread.

What to serve with this Cornbread Pudding Recipe

Of course you shouldn’t save this just for Thanksgiving, it’s a great side to serve for any gathering. Try serving it with Steak Marsala, or with Mustard Drumsticks with Peach Glaze. It’s also great with Slow Cooker Ribs or Carnitas.

Corn Bread Casserole Recipe Tips

• To form the creamy custard you need cream and whole milk, you could get by with half-and half- but anything less, and you won’t get the custard texture.
• To save time, purchase cornbread or cornbread muffins, homemade cornbread isn’t needed for this recipe.
• If you’re using a deep casserole dish, it will take longer for the custard to set, so choose a 9 x 13 or something similar rather than a deep baking dish.
• You can toast the cornbread ahead of time but the rest you will need to assemble right before baking so the cornbread doesn’t dissolve.

What to serve for Thanksgiving with corn pudding

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Broccoli Salad

Homemade Yeast Dinner Rolls

Apple Blackberry Crumble

Explore Recipes Side DishesVegetarianBakedChristmasThanksgivingCorn, Cornmeal