High Protein Street Corn Casserole

If you’re looking for a fresh, healthy summer side dish that’s easy to make and bursting with flavor, this street corn casserole delivers. Gluten free and high protein – this street corn casserole is perfect for summer parties, meal prep, or a quick weeknight side!

Feel free to use the Jump to Recipe button at the top of the page to skip straight to this high protein street corn casserole recipe.

You know how some summer side dishes politely sit off to the side while the burgers and ribs get all the attention?

Yeah, this isn’t one of those. This high protein street corn casserole is definitely giving Main Character Energy. (Hungry Jr. is going to hate it so much that I used that phrase. 😂 🙌🏻)

High protein street corn casserole in an oval baking dish, before going into the oven.

Here to crash the party in the best possible way, this is hand’s down the recipe that all of your friends will be asking for this summer.

It’s got fresh sweet corn, a little tangy heat from the Tajín seasoning, pungent cilantro (sorry haters) and just enough salty Cotija cheese to make your taste buds throw confetti.

And the best part? It’s high in protein (10 grams – and that’s a lot for a veggie side dish!) moderate in carbs, and totally make-ahead friendly. Whether you’re meal-prepping, planning a BBQ, or just need something exciting to eat on a Tuesday… this street corn casserole is it.

For my keto peeps, this one will be a bit out of reach – a few bites won’t kick you out of ketosis, but an entire serving has about 20g net carbs. If you want a similar flavor profile in a more keto friendly package, try my Mexican Street Corn inspired Cauliflower Skewers – they are surprisingly delicious and satisfying!

Keto Mexican Cauliflower on blue table — Mexican Cauliflower Skewers

I made this high protein street corn casserole for the first time back in May – but I hated the photos and so I planned to make it again and retake them. I have made it at least four more times since then, somehow never managed to take new photos (they really don’t do this recipe justice), and it’s already become a much requested staple at our gatherings this summer.

Now that I’m finally posting this street corn casserole recipe, everyone who has tried it and raved about it will finally have access to it, and can stop nagging me for the instructions. You know who you are. 😂

Recipe Notes and Substitutions

I used fresh corn on the cob that I shucked and cut the kernels from. I think it’s the most delicious way to eat this high protein street corn casserole – especially when corn is in season during the summer. This handy tool makes quick work of getting the kernels off the cob without making a huge mess – it really is a game changer.

If you don’t want to mess with fresh corn, frozen will work – but I would thaw it and drain any excess liquid before using it in this street corn casserole recipe.

Ears of raw, shucked, corn in a stainless steel bowl

Cotija cheese can be purchased grated in the dairy sections of many larger grocery stores – I usually find it at Walmart. If you can’t find it, grated parmesan cheese has a similar flavor profile and can be used instead. You can also use queso fresco, which is a little less salty, but works just as well.

Starch is a versatile seasoning that is used in a lot of Latin American countries. It is inexpensive and can be purchased in most grocery stores, or online. It’s crucial to the success of this dish, but any extra won’t go to waste because it can also be sprinkled on fruit (very common in Honduras when we lived there), salads, grilled meats, eggs, or even used to dip the rim of your margarita glass in.

If you are one of those unfortunate people who hate the flavor of cilantro (I truly feel sorry for you) then chopped fresh parsley can be substituted – or you can simply omit the cilantro.

The high protein content in this street corn casserole comes from the cottage cheese and egg. This recipe does not lend itself well to being dairy free.

Forkful of street corn casserole in a white pottery bowl

No matter what version of this high protein street corn casserole you decide to make – I’m pretty confident that it will be absolutely delicious, and I would love it if you could please take a minute to rate and comment to let me know how it turns out!