Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon
Literally taking 15 minutes to put together, this creamy confetti corn with bacon is one of the most amazing side dishes ever.
I’m not saying my life is hard or anything. But sometimes, I run out of clever ways to basically say this:
“For all that is good and lovely in this world, make {insert recipe} already and get on with your life being changed, ok?”

I would love to be able to reach through my computer screen, take your little shoulders in my hands, and give you a little shake for added emphasis. But lucky for you, that isn’t possible.
This creamy confetti corn with bacon is the perfect example.
A dish that could easily be overlooked, it might seem unassuming at first.
Creamy corn? Yawn. With bacon? Whatever; bacon’s on everything these days.
But I’m telling you, this dish and this dish alone is the reason I’m giddy with excitement about Thanksgiving.
(And for all my Canadian and non-USA or Thanksgiving-celebrating readers, never fear, this dish was not made to fulfill it’s existence on a Thanksgiving table alone; it’s perfect as a side dish for 100 other meals.)
I first made it last year for Thanksgiving and Brian and I about died, it was so delicious.
At first glance it seems like any old corn dish, viewed only as an obstacle between you and the turkey. But it is special. Really special.
Literally taking 15 minutes to put together (read the recipe for make-ahead instructions), this creamy confetti corn with bacon explodes with flavor and takes a regular corn side dish to a rockin’ new level.
It’s creamy and smoky and packed with flavor.
I’m sure when my family spies my loaded Thanksgiving plate this year, their first comment(s) will be along the lines of “have a little corn with your turkey, why don’t you?” but I won’t be swayed by their sarcasm. This corn is too good to be worried about Thanksgiving peer pressure.
You should definitely think (actually, don’t think, just follow my orders as if I were in your face right now) and put this on the Thanksgiving menu plan immediately.
Or just run into the kitchen and make it now; I support you in that, also.
FAQ for Confetti Corn:
You can definitely experiment with different types of corn. Canned corn will have a softer texture in this recipe. Fresh corn should be cooked before cutting off the cob and using in this recipe.
Yes, you can make this recipe as written and then keep warm in a slow cooker (on the warm or low setting) for several hours. It can also be assembled ahead of time, covered, refrigerated and then heated in the oven (350 degrees for 20-30 minutes) or on the stovetop before eating. You may want/need to add a bit more milk if it has thickened too much in the refrigerator.
Sure, although it does help to boost the sweetness of the corn just a bit.
One Year Ago: Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla Pie
Two Years Ago: Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Three Years Ago: Creamy Spinach Gratin
Creamy Confetti Corn with Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 packages (12-ounces each) frozen corn kernels, white or yellow
- ½ cup chopped onion, white, yellow or red
- ½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 8-ounce package cream cheese, light or regular, cubed
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 4 green onions, green parts finely chopped (white parts discarded)
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet, cook the chopped bacon until golden and crisp. Scoop the bacon to a paper-towel lined plate and discard all the bacon grease except for a thin coating on the pan, maybe a teaspoon or so.
- Add the corn, onion, and red pepper, and cook over medium heat, stirring every so often, until the vegetables are tender and the corn is heated through, 6-8 minutes. Add the cream cheese and milk, stirring until the cream cheese melts and the mixture is evenly combined.
- Stir in the sugar, salt and pepper. Add more salt to taste if needed. Stir in the green onions.
- Serve warm topped with the reserved bacon.
- This dish can be made up to 2 days ahead of time. Scoop the creamy corn mixture into an oven-safe dish, sprinkle with the bacon and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, heat the corn dish in a 325 degree oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
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Recipe Source: adapted from MyRecipes by way of Southern Living (I decreased salt, omitted half-and-half and used a splash of milk, omitted green pepper and used sliced green onions, used less onion and frozen corn instead of fresh)
I happened upon this recipe as a last minute effort to find a side dish to bring to my boyfriend’s parents house for Thanksgiving. And boy am I glad I did, it was delicious!! It was a huge hit with his family. This will be a go-to side for me for any occasion going forward. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I made it for Thanksgiving dinner and it was a big hit. Whoever mentioned this would be good as a dip really had a good idea.
This was delicious and so easy to make! My husband has already requested this become a part of the regular food rotation 😉
I went with all of the traditional dishes that our family looks forward to each Thanksgiving; then I blew everyone’s mind with this scrumptious Confetti Corn. I assembled it a day ahead and just baked it today. It was such a hit. Thanks for the great recipe.
Just finished dinner where I made this. Amazing just like you said:) thanks!!
I made a half batch because it’s just our little family for Thanksgiving…what was I thinking?!! This is delicious and sure to become a favorite! Happy Thanksgiving from a follower who never comments but is so thankful for your efforts in sharing delicious recipes!
Ever had an idea of something that you want that you can’t quite put into words, but you’d know it if you saw it? Well this recipe was that thing for me. I knew I wanted to change up a corn dish for Thanksgiving this year, I knew that I wanted it to be creamy and flavorful. This dish is exactly what I had in mind. I cannot wait to try it. Thank you!!!
I am making this for Thanksgiving…the bacon may not last to put on the dish! I am sure my family will love it – thank you for this recipe! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Made this for our early Thanksgiving dinner Saturday. Every year I add a new side dish–from YOUR blog–to our traditional menu. Once again, you made me look like a rockstar. This dish is a keeper. I’ve already shared the recipe with several friends looking for one more veggie side to add to their menus. Households across the states will be singing praises to your name on turkey day when they bite into this. Thanks for sharing yet another stellar recipe.
Don’t hafta tell me twice. Definitely making this for Turkey Day!
I’m excited to try this for Thanksgiving this week, but was wondering if the bacon crisps up if I the make this ahead of time? Chewy bacon would not be ideal. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes!
Marianne – I fry up the bacon ahead of time, refrigerate it, then pop it in the microwave laid out in a single layer on a paper towel for 15-30 seconds to crisp back up.
Done! It is on my Thanksgiving menu.
I put this together last night for my husband’s Thanksgiving potluck today at work. This is delicious, and we know this because we couldn’t help snitching some! Your recipes never let me down!
I made this for my office Thanksgiving lunch today and it was wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
It is on my menu for Thanksgiving Day! It sounds and looks like a very nice change of pace that I’m sure we will enjoy!
This was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn’t stop eating it!! Thanks:)
I just tried this last night (to test for our Thanksgiving dinner) using half frozen, half-canned and it turned out fabulous (even before adding the bacon, I might add). I’m not much of a corn person but this was the best corn I’ve ever had! Thank you so much for a great recipe.
This sounds so good!
Oh my gosh, Mel…this looks so delicious!
Down on the bayou, we call this macque choux! It really is wonderful!
This is one of those recipes that could be dangerous! There is not a single ingredient that I would replace, but I do love the idea of adding smoked paprika. Love smoked paprika!
I too will be making this for Thanksgiving! Good job!!
My husband was skeptical. I was not. I used have frozen corn and half canned. After a few bites, the hubs said it was delicious and asked what special seasoning I’d put in it. 🙂 Pepper + sugar + salt + cream cheese = miraculous.
This is a crazy question, but do you think it would work as an appetizer? With corn chips to dip it with? Thanks! Can’t wait to try it.
Christy – oh yes, I think it would be divine (might add just another tablespoon of milk to thin it out a bit) and am wondering why I didn’t think of that!
Mel, I just wanted to pop in and say hi! Your blog was.one of the first food blog I found when I discovered them in 2010. I’ve always loved your blog and recipes, but for some reason stopped visiting after my daughter was born in May 2012. Well, I’m at the grocery store and out of ideas. I think I just picked 4 recipes from your site while going through your recent posts. Everything looks so good and comforting! I’m very thankful for the work you do and I’ll be visiting much more often now that I’ve rediscovered you! 🙂
We…my husband…made this tonight and it was awesome! Even without the green onions. Green onions are not in season right now and where we live, the produce stand only carries what’s in season. Instead we used finely chopped white onion. Our guests and my family really enjoyed this dish. Thank you!! And BTW we had to use canned corn. I will say the Eurospin brand here in Rome has crunchy canned corn. Something to look forward to when you come visit. 😉 My husband just confessed he used pancetta instead of bacon because that’s what we had one hand. Grazie!
Yay! This is perfect for Thanksgiving and officially added to our menu 🙂 Thanks so much for the wonderful recipes. I’ve been cooking from your site regularly for the last couple of months and it has truly made me love to cook again! Thank you thank you 🙂
Do you see a problem using canned corn instead of frozen? I’ve got a lot of canned corn in my cupboard.
Roxanne (and others that have asked about canned corn) – I haven’t found a brand of canned corn that I like so my inclination is to say that fresh or frozen corn will give the best results; however, if you prefer the taste of canned corn, I’m sure it could work (just drain it really well before adding).
This is going on my dinner table tonight. YUM!
This looks amazing. We are hosting our first thanksgiving. It’s grown to 25 and I am kind of scared but this will be in the menu:) also had Ryan weaver family to dinner tonight. You are lucky to be related to them
Oh man, I’m trying really hard to cut back on dairy items for my husband who recently figured out that lactose sensitivity is at the root of his issues, and then you go and post something unbelievably yummy looking like this…gonna have to make it anyways and let him take a Lactaid. I think it will be worth it!
hi mel, here in tijuana mexico, dont celebrate TG, so I just made today for dinner
and is delicioso!!!, we are 5 here normaly (me, husband and two teens and the doughter boyfrend), so next time i will make this double..
i love you blog, the pictures, they are hermosas, with you nice discription and the pictures, i want to visit every day you blog….is like taking cooking clases…thanks
now this post made me laugh out loud- love it.
This would be excellent served cold (aka salad) in the summer outdoors with barbecued ribs!
I am ready for this to change and make my life better!! WOW, this looks so good! I can’t wait to try this.
Hi thanks for this great recipe can you use can corn thanks
This looks DIVINE Mel! You’ve convinced me…I’ll be making this on Thanksgiving! 🙂
I believe you…..I just added it to the TG menu. Thanks!!
Holey Moley…..just added recipe to my Thanksgiving menu; however, I think I might have to make before then!!
I know this is delicious because anytime you put cream cheese with a vegetable, Heaven opens.
PS My hubby’s name is Brian too! 😉
Thanksgiving? I don’t think I can wait until then to make this. It’s going on next weeks menu!! I mean, creamy and bacon?? I can’t wait!
Beautiful side dish! Perfect addition to the holiday table. I am going to try it this weekend – YUM!
Your instructions don’t actually include adding the corn….just thought I’d point that out. You were so excited about sharing it that you missed a step! That means I have to make this one asap, if it’s got you that thrilled.
Patricialynn -actually, the corn is added right there in step #2. 🙂
Would it make you feel better knowing that this is definitely going on my Thanksgiving menu? After reading that, how could I not add it?
P.S. You are hilarious! I love reading your commentary about the recipes.
This looks awesome. I have a similar one on my blog. It includes zucchini and we all love it.
Bacon really IS on everything these days…some things I get, some I just don’t. But I get this corn. I REALLLLLLY get it.
FYI, those with a Trader Joe’s close: their frozen corn is delicious. Tender and sweet.
I agree with you Melanie, it is delicious!
Yes, I agree with Sheila. You are so very appreciated and you do rock. I know keeping up with a blog and trying to give us delicious recipes almost daily is not an easy job. But you do it and you make life easier for all of your readers. I have commented before about my attempts to cook for my elderly parents, and you have made that easy and fun. I have tons of cookbooks, but I never open them anymore. I come to your site and look through your recipe list. I never fail to find something wonderful to make for my family. So, thank you!
Mel, I would love to make a vegetarian version of this dish. What can I use in place of bacon?
Jeannette – you could always leave it out! Try adding a dash of smoked paprika to help with the flavor.
On Thanksgiving menu . . . how do you do it?? Do you realize how much excellence (pictures, writing, wonderful recipes, laughter, wow factors) you have put through to your blog followers this week? You are amazing and so very appreciated! You rock, Mel!