Cheesy Corn and Bacon Bake

My brother is an awesome cook.  He is the kind of cook I wish I was.  He is able to just throw ingredients together and have it turn out delicious.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that all through high school and college he worked in the restaurant industry.  I can’t cook like that, or I choose not to.  As I've said before I didn't grow up cooking, I stared cooking when I got married.  I like having a book and specific instructions.  I always change up recipes or write my own, but I am meticulous about writing down every ingredient and the amount used.  If something turns out great I want to know exactly what was put into the dish. 

The last time my brother’s family was at our house for a visit, he whipped up a Creamy Corn Bake similar to this recipe.  There is a BBQ restaurant in Kansas City and they serve a dish like this.  I watched him throw everything together and of course took some notes on what he did.  What I’m sharing with you today is my version of the corn dish that he made for us.  I can’t wait for summer to try this with fresh corn.  My family inhaled it, which in my book is the sign of a great recipe.

 

 Cheesy Corn and Bacon Bake

4-5  slices thick cut bacon, diced

3  tablespoons butter

½  cup onion, chopped

½  cup red pepper, chopped

2  cloves garlic, minced (1 teaspoon)

¼  cup flour

2  cups milk

4  ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into small pieces

1 ½  cups shredded cheese (6 ounces) Sharp Cheddar or Pepper Jack

1  teaspoon Frank’s hot sauce

2  (12 ounce) packages frozen corn, thawed (or equal amount of fresh, cut off the cob)

½  teaspoon salt

¼  teaspoon pepper

¼  cup sour cream

In a large sauce pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp.  Remove with a slotted spoon.  Leave about 1  tablespoon bacon grease in pan and add butter.  Add the onion and red pepper and sauté about 5 minutes over medium heat until vegetables soften.  Add garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.  Add flour and whisk 1-2 minutes until bubbly.  Add the milk and bring to a simmer.  Simmer a few minutes until mixture thickens slightly.  Remove from heat and add the cream cheese and the shredded cheese, stir until melted.  Add the Frank’s, corn, salt, pepper and sour cream and cooked bacon. Pour into a greased casserole dish.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes. 

Enjoy!

Kim

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