Skip to Content

Elote Casserole

Sharing is caring!

This Elote Casserole is a spin on my favorite Mexican street food. Elotes combine the fresh flavor of corn on the cob with creamy cheese, zesty lime, and a touch of spice. I love elotes so much that I might be guilty of ordering only elotes when I am walking by one of my favorite Mexican joints. Elote Casserole takes all of the basic ingredients in elotes and turns it into a side dish perfect to serve at a summer barbecue.

Elotes are traditionally served on the cob, but I think that makes it harder to make a big batch. Elote casserole is made with corn that is cut off the cob, so it is easy to make enough to feed a crowd.

In addition to the corn, cheese, lime, and spice in elotes, I added some roasted poblano pepper, red bell pepper, jalapeno, and red onion to this elote casserole. The poblano and jalapeno peppers add a mild heat to the side dish. If you want your elote casserole to be spicier you can add more of the jalapeno, or more of the ancho chili and cayenne pepper.

I grilled the corn, but you could opt to steam or boil it instead. You could even use frozen corn (just cook it in the microwave). I had never grilled corn before, but it couldn’t be any easier. Just place the corn, still in the husks, on a hot grill and let it cook for 25 minutes. Let the corn cool for about 5 minutes and then remove the corn from the husk. If you want some grill marks on the corn you can briefly place the corn directly on the grill.

Once the corn has been grilled and cut off the cob this casserole comes together in just minutes. It is made on the stovetop and doesn’t need to be baked, so the total preparation time for this dish is just about 40 minutes from start to finish.

Elote Casserole

Yields 6 servings

40 minPrep Time

40 minTotal Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 Ears of Corn (in husks)
  • Juice of 2 Limes
  • 1 Poblano Pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Butter
  • 1 cup chopped Red Onion
  • 1 Jalapeno Pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup chopped Red Bell Pepper
  • 1/2 cup reduced fat Cream Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Queso Fresco
  • 1 teaspoon Flour
  • 2 tablespoons Milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ancho Chile Powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper Powder

Instructions

  1. First, grill the corn. I leave it right in the husks and place it on a hot grill (400 degrees will do the trick). Grill the corn for 20 minutes, rotating it every 5 minutes.
  2. Let the corn cool. While the corn is cooling, roast the poblano pepper. Place the pepper over a gas burner and char the skin of the pepper. Remove the pepper from the burner, slice the pepper into large pieces and peel off the charred skin. Then finely chop.
  3. Once the corn has cooled, slice the ends off the corn husks, and squeeze the top of the husk pushing the corn out of the husks. This technique works really well and makes sure there are no silks left on the corn. Then slice the corn off the cob.
  4. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the red onion, and saute for 2 minutes. Then add the chopped jalapeno and red bell pepper. Cook for another 3 minutes.
  5. Add the cream cheese, queso fresco, flour, milk, ancho chile powder, and cayenne pepper powder. Stir to combine. Once the cheese has melted add the corn, poblano pepper, and lime juice. Stir to combine. Simmer for 3 minutes to heat up the corn, and then serve.
7.8.1.2
309
https://thekittchen.com/elote-casserole-4/

If you want to try another corn recipe, try this recipe for Thanksgiving Corn Casserole, it’s really rich and creamy. It definitely isn’t easy on the calories, but it is one of the most popular recipes on this website.

Mugdha

Sunday 18th of November 2018

Hi, can I make the elote casserole ahead of time. Planning to make it it as a thanksgiving side and it would really help if I could check it it off my list.

thekittchen

Sunday 18th of November 2018

Yes. I think you can make this ahead, maybe just undercook the corn a little since you will be reheating it in the oven.

Kriska Marie

Wednesday 26th of July 2017

Looks so yummy! Thank you for sharing it over at Food Friday!

Miz Helen

Sunday 23rd of July 2017

Your Elote Casserole will be all I need, such a fabulous dish of goodness! Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you will come back and visit us again real soon! Miz Helen

thekittchen

Sunday 23rd of July 2017

So happy that you like the recipe!

sue

Tuesday 18th of July 2017

I've never heard of this casserole before but it sounds delicious Thanks for sharing with us at #overthemoon and have a lovely week. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

thekittchen

Wednesday 19th of July 2017

It's perfect for summer!

Spinach Artichoke Omelettes Story Breakfast Bread Boat Story Puff Pastry Breakfast Tarts Story Lemon Ricotta Raspberry Muffins Story New Mexico Style Huevos Rancheros Story