Name: Creamy Cajun Corn On The Cob Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 12 Pieces Frozen Corn On The Cob; Salt and Pepper to taste; 1/2 Tbs Cajun Seasoning; 1 Tbs Garlic Powder; 1 Tbs Onion Powder; 1.5 Tbs Paprika (divided); 1 Cup Heavy Cream; 3 Cloves Garlic, minced; 1 Stick Frozen Butter, grated; 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (divided); Cilantro/Parsley

This Creamy Cajun Corn On The Cob is loaded with buttery, cheesy Cajun flavor and comes together with just a handful of pantry staples for an easy side dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, holidays, and backyard BBQs.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

I don’t know what it is about corn, but I could eat it with just about every meal. It’s one of those side dishes that everyone reaches for and disappears before anything else even hits the table. This version takes frozen corn on the cob and turns it into something that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.

The butter melts down into every kernel while the Cajun seasoning gives it just enough kick without being overwhelming. Toss in plenty of Parmesan cheese and let everything bake until it’s rich, creamy, and slightly golden around the edges, and you’ve got a side dish that’s guaranteed to steal the show.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy To Make – Just season, bake, stir, and finish with more Parmesan. The oven does almost all of the work.
Big Flavor – Cajun seasoning, butter, garlic, onion, and Parmesan create layers of rich, savory flavor.
Perfect For Any Occasion – It’s just as good on a weeknight as it is sitting next to Thanksgiving turkey or grilled burgers at a summer cookout.
Made With Simple Ingredients – Everything can be found at your local grocery store, and most of it is probably already in your pantry.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements on the recipe card below.

Frozen Corn On The Cob – The star of the show! No need to thaw it first, the oven does all the work.
Butter – Grating frozen butter helps it melt evenly over every bite of corn while creating an incredibly rich flavor.
Parmesan Cheese – Adds salty, nutty flavor and creates a lightly golden topping. Freshly grated Parmesan melts the best.
Heavy Cream- Adds that smooth, creamy texture that combines perfectly with the butter
Garlic Powder – Adds savory depth without overpowering the corn.
Onion Powder – Gives the seasoning blend extra flavor.
Paprika – Adds color and a mild smoky sweetness. Smoked paprika works especially well if you have it.
Cajun Seasoning – Brings just the right amount of spice and bold Southern-inspired flavor.
Salt – Enhances all of the flavors. Use lightly since Cajun seasoning and Parmesan both contain salt.
Black Pepper – Adds a little extra bite.
Fresh Parsley Or Cilantro – A fresh garnish that brightens up the finished dish.

How To Make It

Heres how to make this amazing side dish. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 400°F and add the corn to a 9x 13" baking dish. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper on both sides. Grate the frozen butter over the entire surface of the corn.

frozen corn on the cob seasoned and topped with grated butter

Sprinkle about half of the parmesan cheese over the butter and pour the heavy cream evenly around the corn. Add the minced garlic. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it into the center rack of the oven for 35 minutes.

corn on the cob seasoned and topped with butter and parmesan about to go into the oven

Carefully remove the foil and roll the corn evenly into the butter, seasonings, and Parmesan. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan over the top along with the remaining paprika. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for 5–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and serve immediately.

cajun corn on the cob rolled in butter and heavy cream then garnished with parsley

Pro Tips

Freeze the butter for at least 20-30 minutes before grating. It makes the job much easier.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better than the shelf-stable variety.
Rolling the corn after the first bake ensures every kernel gets coated in all of that buttery goodness before adding the final layer of cheese.
If your Cajun seasoning is particularly spicy or salty, start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
Want extra color? Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, but keep a close eye on it.

Variations

Stir in cooked crumbled bacon.
Add diced jalapeños for extra heat.
Mix in shredded Pepper Jack or sharp cheddar cheese.
Finish with sliced green onions.
Sprinkle with a little smoked paprika instead of regular paprika for even more smoky flavor.

What To Serve With It

This Creamy Cajun Corn is one of those side dishes that goes with just about everything. It’s fantastic alongside grilled chicken, burgers, steaks, ribs, pork chops, or pulled pork sandwiches. It’s also an easy addition to holiday dinners, potlucks, and summer cookouts whenever you need a side that everyone will love.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until warmed through. You can also reheat it in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. If it seems a little dry, stir in a small pat of butter before reheating.

I don’t recommend freezing it after baking since the texture of the corn and Parmesan can change.

Can Fresh Corn On The Cob Be Used?

Yes, absolutely! You can use fresh corn on the cob instead of frozen. Leave the ears whole (or cut them in half) and follow the instructions on the recipe card. Since fresh corn cooks a little faster, start checking doneness after 25-35 minutes.

Other Easy Corn Recipes

I've rounded up all my Best Corn Recipes so you can find them easily all in one place. I highly recommend my Mexican Street Corn Casserole & Street Corn Pasta Salad. They're perfect for the summer!

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