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Today I’m sharing a healthier, lightened-up version of Paula Deen’s classic corn casserole. This easy southern spoon bread is chewy around the edges, creamy in the center, and packed with sweet corn flavor. It’s always a hit whenever I serve it, and no one ever guesses it’s made lighter.
The original version is delicious but heavy, with plenty of sour cream and butter. Bobby Deen created a healthier take on his mom’s recipe, and I’ve lightened it even further by swapping in ingredients that reduce fat and calories while keeping all the comfort.
This creamy corn casserole is lower in fat, more Weight Watchers friendly, and still unbelievably delicious. It makes a fantastic holiday side dish, but we enjoy it year-round with barbecued meats, turkey breast, and simple weeknight dinners.
Table of Contents
- Why I Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- WW Points and Calories
- How to Make Bobby Deen’s Corn Casserole Made Lighter
- Recipe Notes, Additions & Variations
- What to Serve with Corn Casserole?
- How to Store Leftovers
- Lightened Up Southern Corn Casserole Recipe
- More WW Friendly Corn Recipes
- More Healthy Casseroles for Weight Watchers
Why I Love This Recipe
- Made with just a few pantry ingredients
- Creamy, comforting, and full of corn flavor
- Lower in fat and calories than the original
- Easy to make ahead for holidays and potlucks
- Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing
- WW friendly without tasting “diet-y”
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Plain nonfat Greek yogurt – Replaces the sour cream in the original recipe and keeps the casserole creamy and tangy with fewer calories. Substitute low-fat sour cream if you don’t mind extra fat.
- Unsweetened applesauce – Adds moisture and a hint of natural sweetness in place of oil or butter.
- Egg, lightly beaten – Helps bind the casserole and gives it structure. Egg substitute will work, though the texture may be softer.
- Cornbread muffin mix (such as Jiffy) – Adds cornbread flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. Use whatever cornbread mix you like best.
- Canned corn kernels, drained – Adds texture and little pops of sweetness. Thawed frozen corn or fresh corn off the cob are delicious alternatives.
- Canned creamed corn – Creates the rich, custardy texture that makes corn casserole so delicious. Of course, homemade creamed corn can be used if you are feeling industrious.
- Optional add-ins: shredded cheese, diced bell pepper, chopped green onion, jalapeño, bacon, or hot sauce.
WW Points and Calories
According to my calculations, each serving has:
- Calories: 209
- WW Points: 6 To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) - Old Points: 5 PointsPlus
How to Make Bobby Deen’s Corn Casserole Made Lighter
Step 1: Combine ingredients
This casserole couldn’t be easier… just stir together your ingredients…
Step 2: Transfer to baking dish
And then pour it into a lightly greased baking dish…
Step 3: Bake
Bake until the edges are browned, the center is set, and the top is slightly golden.
Step 4: Serve
Let it cool slightly before scooping. Serve warm.
Here’s a video where Bobby Deen makes his lighter corn casserole for his mom and his Aunt Peggy:
Recipe Notes, Additions & Variations
This recipe is very flexible. While Bobby Deen uses low-fat sour cream, I prefer plain nonfat Greek yogurt for even better nutrition.
Try adding:
- Shredded reduced-fat cheddar, jack, or pepper jack
- Chopped green onion or bell pepper
- Chopped jalapeño for heat
- Cooked bacon bits for extra flavor
- A splash of hot sauce
What to Serve with Corn Casserole?
Corn Casserole is a popular Thanksgiving holiday side dish recipe that can be enjoyed all year round, especially when made lighter and healthier. This casserole is the perfect accompaniment alongside any savory protein including:
- Roast turkey or slow cooker turkey breast
- Pulled pork
- Pork tenderloin
- Chicken tenders
How to Store Leftovers
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freeze for longer storage.
- Reheat in the oven or microwave (affiliate link) until warm.
If you’ve made this Lighter Corn Casserole Recipe, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Lightened Up Southern Corn Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 package (8.5 ounces) cornbread muffin mix (such as Jiffy)
- 1 can (14 to 15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
- 1 can (14 to 15 ounces) creamed corn
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan (affiliate link) with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, applesauce, and egg until well blended. Stir in the corn muffin mix, creamed corn and corn kernels until combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Divide into 8 even portions and serve.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 5 PointsPlus (Old plan) Possible tasty additions:
- Shredded low fat cheese such as cheddar, jack or pepper jack
- Chopped green onion
- Chopped bell pepper
- Chopped jalapeno pepper
- Chopped cooked bacon
- hot sauce
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: From Mama’s Table to Mine (affiliate link) by Bobby Deen
More WW Friendly Corn Recipes
If you love this lighter corn casserole, you may also enjoy:
- 3-ingredient crock pot corn dip – A creamy, cheesy slow cooker dip that’s surprisingly light and easy to make.
- Crockpot chicken thighs and creamy corn – Tender chicken cooked with creamed corn and light seasonings for a family-friendly meal.
- Slow cooker corn & shrimp chowder – A comforting soup with sweet corn, shrimp, and vegetables — hearty but light.
- Skinny mini corn dog muffins – Fun, portion-controlled versions of classic corn dogs — lower in fat and perfect for kids.
- Light & healthy cornbread recipes – A collection of WW friendly cornbread recipes for holidays, potlucks, and everyday meals.
Could this be made in slow cooker?
I haven’t tried this in the slow cooker but believe it would work fine. The time it
takes will depend on the size of slow cooker you use. I’m guessing 2-3 hours on high or 4 to 5 hours on low or until set. Hope this helps. ~Martha
Thanks so much! I’m going to try this tonight so we can have dinner ready when we return from seeing holiday lights.
The slow cooker worked great. I made the recipe as written, except I make my own cream corn and “muffin mix”. I started the casserole on high for 45 mins., then 4.5 hrs on low (we are out a little longer than I had planned). I topped with cheese and turned the slow cooker (2 qt.) off. We loved it. It did get a little brown around the edges, but tasted great. I oiled the slow cooker liner, so cleanup was easy.
So glad it worked for you. Thanks so much for providing the details of how you did it!
This is exactly how I made this same recipe lighter. I’ve been making it this way for several months. It’s always been a dish at our family gatherings–no one knows the difference! Delicious. It will be on my Thanksgiving table this year.