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Can Corn Casserole Be Left Out Overnight?

Can corn casserole be left out overnight? The answer: It depends.

Most of the time, the answer is no. But you need to look at some of the variables before making this decision. 

cooked casserole in a baking dish

For example, do you have any ingredients in your corn casserole recipe that might spoil when sitting at room temperature for an extended period of time? The last thing you want when you eat this delicious casserole is food poisoning. 

So it’s a good idea to check the shelf life of all of the ingredients. If anything in the corn casserole has perishable ingredients that need to be refrigerated, then don’t leave it out overnight.

If so, then you should either cover it with plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container. Put it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat it.

Most of the time, we finish a corn casserole the next day or within a couple of days. But you can store leftovers for up to a week and still be fine.

corn casserole being scooped from the dish

Longest Time That’s Safe to Leave Corn Casserole Out

I don’t recommend leaving corn casserole out for more than 2 hours. That’s usually long enough for everyone to get a serving at a potluck.

You might be okay for another hour, but I like to play it safe. Bacterial growth isn’t something to mess around with.

Easy Corn Casserole Recipe

Also known as corn pudding, this delicious creamy corn casserole recipe with cream cheese and green chilis is super easy to make. And it’s perfect for any holiday table, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner. It’s also good on other holidays, like Easter and the Fourth of July.

scooping corn casserole out of a casserole dish

I used mild chilis, but you can substitute spicy ones if you prefer. Or you can leave them out altogether. You can also swap out the cream cheese for sour cream.

This time, I used a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix to add texture and substance, and to make this a sweet corn casserole. However, in the past, I’ve used other mixes and cornmeal blends, both with excellent results.

One of the things I enjoy about this Jiffy corn casserole recipe is that all you have to do is mix everything in one bowl, pour it into a baking dish, and put it in the oven. You get the best results for so little effort.

Another thing I enjoy about this recipe is that it’s the perfect side dish that goes with roasted turkey, baked ham, grilled steak, or fish.

Occasionally, I add cheddar cheese, either in the mixture or on top to make this a cheesy corn casserole. But most of the time I don’t because it already has a ton of flavor. In fact, it’s one of my favorite side dishes.

You can also add browned ground beef to the mixture. This delivers a delicious and easy one-pan meal that the family will love.

Corn Casserole Ingredients That Need Refrigeration

My general rule of thumb is that if there a dish has any type of meat, dairy products, or eggs, it needs to be refrigerated. However, it can sit out at room temperature for up to a couple of hours.

Since most corn casseroles have at least one of the above ingredients—often more—it shouldn’t be left out overnight. 

But I understand why it would be tempting. Corn casserole tastes better when it’s warm than when it’s cold. That’s why I’m including a section on how to heat it up.

Tips for Storing Leftover Corn Casserole

Since leaving corn casserole out overnight is risky, here are some tips for storing leftovers:

  • Always allow the corn casserole to room temperature before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer. If you don’t, the condensation will build up and cause it to be soggy.
  • In order to eliminate wasting the food, divide the corn casserole into individual portions and put them in either freezer bags or airtight containers.
  • Label the bags or containers with the name of the contents and the date you made it.
  • Before reheating a frozen corn casserole, put it in the refrigerator and allow it to thaw for several hours. I put it in the fridge the night before I want to eat it so it can thaw overnight.

How to Heat Up a Leftover Creamy Corn Casserole in the Oven

Leftover corn casserole that’s been refrigerated can be heated up to taste as good as it did when it was freshly made. Here are the steps:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Don’t go any higher than that because you don’t want the outside to burn while the inside of it remains cold.

Make sure the casserole is in an oven-safe pan or casserole dish.

foil covered casserole dish

Cover the casserole, either with an oven-safe lid or with aluminum foil. This helps prevent all of the moisture from evaporating and leaving it dry.

Put the covered corn casserole on the center rack in the oven and reheat it for about 20 minutes. If you’re not sure, check the internal temperature in the center as well as the edges to make sure it is evenly heating.

Keep in mind that baking time may vary based on how hot your oven cooks. So the cooking time could be as little as 15-20 minutes if your oven cooks hot or as long as 30 minutes if your oven isn’t as efficient as you like.

Garnish the casserole with either herbs or grated cheese and serve.

How to Heat a Corn Casserole in the Microwave

Although the microwave isn’t my favorite way to heat up anything, there are times when it comes in handy. That’s typically when I’m in a hurry or just want a single serving.

In my opinion, the best way to heat a serving of corn casserole in the microwave is to scoop some out into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover it with a paper towel or something designed for this purpose. 

Heat the food on high for about 30 seconds. Check it to make sure it’s as hot as you want it. If not, put it back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Keep doing this until it reaches the desired temperature.

I do the same thing with other foods when I only want one serving. And this corn casserole is an easy side dish when you want to scoop out just a little bit.

Yummy Foods That Go with Corn Casserole

Regardless of what I originally serve with corn casserole, I like to get creative with the leftovers. Here are some delicious main dishes to serve it with:

Garlic Lemon Chicken – Loaded with flavor, this garlic lemon chicken is very easy to make.

plate of garlic lemon chicken

Roasted Turkey Tenderloin – When you’re in the mood for turkey any time of year, make this delicious roasted turkey tenderloin.

slices of roasted turkey tenderloin

Air Fried Pork Chops – Get supper on the table quickly by making these air fried pork chops!

air fried boneless pork chops on a plate

Pork Tenderloin – Put the pork tenderloin in your slow cooker in the morning and come home to a delicious dinner!

slicing a barbecue pork tenderloin

Air Fried Tilapia – Hungry? Good thing you don’t have to wait for the fish to thaw. Just take it from the freezer to the air fryer, and dinner will be on the table in minutes.

baked tilapia on a plate

Pork Shoulder Steak – This grilled pork shoulder steak from Back to My Southern roots ie easy and delivers a tender, tasty result.

Oven Fried Salmon Patties – These oven fried salmon patties have everything going for them. They’re budget-friendly, delicious, and easy to make!

Salmon cakes on a plate

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