Effortless Cream Cheese Corn (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1/2 teaspoon salt.
02 - 4 tablespoons butter.
03 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
04 - 18-ounce bag frozen corn, thawed.
05 - 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed and softened.
06 - 1/3 cup milk.
07 - Black pepper, add however much you like.
08 - Optional: chopped pickled jalapeños for some heat.

# Instructions:

01 - Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up.
02 - In a medium-sized pot, melt the butter with the cubed cream cheese on low heat. Give it a gentle stir every now and then to help them combine.
03 - Stir in the milk until the texture is completely smooth. If you see any clumps, just keep stirring and they'll disappear.
04 - Toss in the salt and add a sprinkle of black pepper. Taste it later and adjust the pepper if needed.
05 - Stir in the corn until everything's mixed well. If you're into spicy, this is the time to add jalapeños!
06 - Grab an 8x8 baking dish and pour in the mixture. Give it a little spread so it's even.
07 - Scatter the shredded cheddar cheese all across the top.
08 - Pop it into the oven for about 20 minutes. It's done when it's bubbling and has a golden top.
09 - Take it out and let it rest a few minutes because it’ll be super hot.
10 - Dish it up and dig in!

# Notes:

01 - Using two 15-ounce cans of drained corn works too, but frozen has a better texture.
02 - Want to prep ahead? Assemble everything but don’t bake it. Just cover and refrigerate. Warm it up before baking when you're ready to cook.
03 - Leftovers reheat perfectly in either a microwave or oven.
04 - Mixing up cheeses like cheddar and monterey jack gives it a tasty twist.
05 - For a nice look, sprinkle freshly chopped chives on top after it’s baked.