Shoepeg Corn and Green Bean Casserole

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Elevate your Thanksgiving feast with the ultimate side dish: Shoepeg Corn and Green Bean Casserole crowned with a buttery Ritz cracker topping. The classic southern shoepeg corn casserole that we all know and love is getting a makeover. This one is made with fresh vegetables, homemade soup, and topped with the best-ever Ritz cracker topping. This casserole is creamy, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned! The Ritz cracker topping is seriously buttery, a little salty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You can even make it ahead of time for an easy holiday side that everyone will love!

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About The Recipe

This recipe has been in my family for generations! Since I was a little girl, this has been my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. I couldn’t wait for it (and I still can’t!)! Seriously, I would always go back for seconds or sometimes even thirds. I didn’t care that it was full of veggies and actually somewhat healthy for me. It was the flavor I couldn’t get enough of!

As I got a little older, my mom started freezing some after Thanksgiving just so I could have some to eat after the holiday. It was great! Now, the casserole is even better.

A few years ago, we realized that our entire lives we had been making it with canned ingredients because that’s what the recipe called for. That’s what our family had been using.

But… why?

We live in a day and age where fresh ingredients are available all year round! So, we went to the grocery store and bought everything fresh just for this casserole. We even made our own Cream of Celery Soup!

And, let me be honest, I always thought this casserole was good…but when you use fresh ingredients, it truly let this casserole shine. It is incredible now!

Yes, using canned is easier and takes less time, but this casserole is genuinely so easy to make that using fresh ingredients really is worth the effort. Plus, the flavor! It’s sweet, creamy, and just downright delicious.

Even if you have kids that don’t like vegetables, this casserole will have them coming back for more. At every Thanksgiving dinner, this casserole is a hit and everyone’s favorite part of the meal!

Reasons You Will Love This Shoepeg Corn Casserole

• This recipe is super simple to make!
• Absolutely delicious.
• A serious crowd pleaser during the holidays.
• Freezes and reheats well.
• Can be made with fresh or frozen veggies.
• Has a buttery ritz cracker topping that is just SO. GOOD.

Equipment Needed

• Small Pot
• Mixing Bowls
• Cooking Spray
• 8x12x3 Casserole Dish

Ingredients

(Full ingredient amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

• Onion, Celery, Bell Pepper – These three vegetables are considered the Holy Trinity of cooking in the Deep South. They are the base of nearly every casserole or stew made there.
• Cheddar Cheese – is also a staple of a large number of southern casseroles. It brings that wonderful, tangy cheddar flavor and adds richness.
• Corn – is the costar of the show. Using fresh corn adds brightness, sweetness, and extra crunchiness.
• Green Beans – are also the costar. They add an earthy flavor to this casserole.
• Cream of Celery Soup – brings the umami. It adds creaminess, depth, and earthiness.
• Sour Cream – adds a slight tang to the filling that blends perfectly with the cheese and counters the sweetness from the vegetables.
• Butter – Melted butter turns the Ritz crackers into a topping, as well as adding even more buttery flavor.
• Ritz Crackers – add crunch and texture, as well as butteriness.

How To Make Shoepeg Corn Casserole

Step 1: Par-cook green beans and corn

In a small pot, combine green beans, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and let simmer for 3-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a small pot, combine the corn, water, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Mix

In a large bowl, combine the onion, celery, bell pepper, cheddar cheese, corn, green beans, cream of celery soup, and sour cream. Mix until well combined. Transfer the mixture into a greased casserole.

Step 3: Make topping

In a medium sized bowl, mix together melted butter and Ritz crackers.

Step 4: Bake

Spread the topping over the casserole and bake at 325℉ for 60-70 minutes. Let cool before serving.

What To Serve With This Shoepeg Corn Casserole…

Whether you’re planning Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner (or you just want a really delicious casserole!), you’re definitely going to need things to go with this recipe. Don’t worry! We have a few ideas to get you started.

• Crispy Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
• Mashed Potatoes
• Buttery Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls
• Rosemary and Garlic Brined Turkey Breast
• Southern Cornbread Dressing

Or, maybe you’re looking for something sweet for after dinner…

• Homemade Apple Pie
• Southern Chess Pie
• Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
• Pumpkin Pie Bars with Shortbread Cookie Crust
• Cinnamon Apple Bread with Walnut Streusel
• Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

How To Store

One of my favorite things about this casserole is that it freezes really well if you want to make it ahead of time! Just make sure you don’t add the Ritz crackers until you’re ready to bake.

If you’ve already baked, cover with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Substitutions

• You can use canned or frozen vegetables instead of fresh.
• Canned cream of celery soup can be use instead of homemade.
• You can add chopped jalapeños peppers for a subtle spicy kick.

Expert Tips

• If you’re using fresh ingredients, you will need about 3 ears of corn, 1/2 of a small onion, about 1/4 of a medium sized bell pepper, and 1 large stalk of celery.
• This casserole freezes beautifully! BUT don’t add the Ritz cracker topping until you are ready to cook it.
• If you use a different sized casserole, the baking time will vary.
• The sides will bubble when baking. You may want to put a sheet pan under the casserole to make sure it doesn’t make a mess in the oven!
• This casserole is done when it is golden brown and bubbly, and set when lightly shaken.

When you make this Shoepeg Corn and Green Bean Casserole, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #Bakerstable.

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