Corn Casserole II

8 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 20 m Total: 35 m Beginner
A wonderful, quick and easy corn casserole made with the holy trinity, minute rice, cream-style corn, and melted Velveeta cheese. Perfect comfort food side dish that’s ready in 40 minutes and always a crowd-pleaser at potlucks and family gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1 stick margarine
  • 1 1/3 cup minute rice
  • 1 small jar pimento
  • 2 cups shredded Velveeta cheese
  • 2 (15 oz) cans cream style corn

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Sauté onions, bell peppers, and celery in the margarine over medium heat until vegetables are soft, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in the minute rice, pimento, and cream style corn. Add red pepper to taste but no salt.
  3. Pour into a 2 or 3 quart casserole dish, sprinkle the shredded Velveeta cheese on top, cover and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, approximately 20 minutes.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I use regular rice instead of minute rice?

A: Minute rice is key here because it cooks perfectly in the oven with the moisture from the corn. If using regular rice, you'd need to pre-cook it first, otherwise it will be crunchy.

Q: My casserole came out too watery. What happened?

A: Make sure to drain any excess liquid from the pimento, and don't add extra moisture. Also, check that you're using cream-style corn, not whole kernel corn which has more liquid.

Tips and Techniques

The casserole is done when the cheese is fully melted and the edges are just starting to bubble. If you like a browned cheesy top, remove the cover for the last 5 minutes of baking. This dish tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Velveeta cheese: sharp cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack
  • margarine: butter
  • minute rice: 2 cups pre-cooked white rice

Equipment Needed

  • 2 or 3 quart casserole dish
  • Large skillet for sautéing
  • Mixing spoon