Hominy Casserole

This hominy casserole is creamy, cheesy, and just a little spicy, with tender hominy, sour cream, jalapeños, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan baked together until hot and bubbly. It’s an easy side dish made with just a handful of ingredients, and the chewy hominy gives it a texture that makes it stand out from other casseroles.

Why You'll Love This Hominy Casserole Recipe

This hominy casserole works because the hominy holds its texture even after baking, so you still get a little chew in every bite. The sour cream keeps everything creamy, Monterey Jack melts into the filling, Parmesan adds a salty finish, and the jalapeños cut through the richness with just enough heat.

It’s also about as easy as a casserole gets. You only need five main ingredients, and there’s no precooking or complicated prep. Just mix everything together, spread it into the baking dish, and let the oven do the rest.

That makes it especially good for holidays or family dinners when you already have a lot going on in the kitchen. It’s simple, cheesy, comforting, and different enough from the usual potato or corn casserole to stand out on the table.

And even people who aren’t sure about hominy tend to come around once they try it. One reader, Eileen, said:

WOW this was awesome. My husband and I were skeptical when I opened the can. but once we tasted it was delicious. My husband who is very picky even said he would definitely eat this again. Thank you for the recipe loved it.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 3 cups canned hominy
• 1 cup sour cream
• ¼ cup diced jalapenos
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Hominy: Canned white hominy works perfectly here and keeps the recipe easy. Drain and rinse it well before using so you don’t add extra liquid to the casserole. Yellow hominy will work too and has a very similar texture.
• Sour cream: This is what gives the casserole its creamy, tangy base. Full-fat sour cream gives the richest texture, but light sour cream will still work if that’s what you have.
• Monterey Jack cheese: Monterey Jack melts really smoothly and keeps the casserole creamy without overpowering the hominy. Pepper Jack is an easy swap if you want more heat, and mild cheddar can work if you prefer a sharper cheese flavor.
• Parmesan: Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor that balances the milder Monterey Jack. Freshly grated Parmesan melts best, but finely grated store-bought Parmesan works in a pinch.
• Jalapeños: Jalapeños add just enough heat to cut through the richness of the cheese and sour cream. Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder casserole, or leave some in if you like more spice. You can also use canned diced green chiles for a milder option.

How To Make Hominy Casserole

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and grease a two-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Add the canned hominy, sour cream, jalapeños, and Monterey Jack cheese to a large bowl. Give everything a good mix with a spoon until the ingredients fully combine.

Step 2: Assemble and bake

Spoon the hominy mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top the mixture with the parmesan cheese and bake for about 1 hour or until the top is golden and bubbly. 

Step 3: Serve Warm

As soon as the casserole is baked, serve it warm with any side dishes you prefer, and enjoy!

Expert Tips for The Best Hominy Casserole

• Drain and rinse the hominy really well. Canned hominy holds quite a bit of liquid. Rinse it in a colander, then let it drain for a few minutes before adding it to the casserole. I’ll even give it a quick pat with paper towels if it still looks wet. This helps keep the finished casserole creamy instead of watery.
• Use freshly shredded cheese when you can. Monterey Jack melts especially smoothly when you grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can keep the filling from melting quite as evenly.
• Adjust the jalapeños to your heat preference. Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder casserole, or leave some in if you want more heat. If your jalapeños are especially spicy, start with less since you can always add hot sauce at the table.
• Spread everything into an even layer. An even layer helps the casserole heat consistently so you don’t end up with overly browned edges while the center is still catching up.
• Look for bubbling edges and melted cheese. Since the hominy is already cooked, you’re really baking the casserole until everything is hot, creamy, and fully melted together. The edges should be bubbling and the cheese should be melted across the top.
• Let it rest before serving. Give the casserole about 5–10 minutes after it comes out of the oven. The filling thickens slightly as it sits, which makes it creamier and much easier to scoop. For a serving idea, pile the casserole on pita chips, on top of corn bread, or with these air fryer tortilla chips.
• Make it ahead for holidays. You can assemble the hominy casserole up to a day in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it. Bake it when you’re ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes if it goes into the oven cold.
• Turn leftovers into a meal. If you want to make the casserole heartier the next day, cooked shredded chicken, pulled pork, diced ham, or crumbled bacon all pair well with the creamy hominy and cheese.

How To Store and Reheat Hominy Casserole

In the fridge: If you happen to have any leftovers, this casserole stores really well. Just transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for about 4 days.

In the freezer: To keep it for longer, let the leftovers cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 4 months in the freezer.

Reheating: I've found the best way to reheat the casserole is to stick it back in a casserole dish and warm it in the oven at 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese melts again. To reheat a single serving, you can just microwave it in 20-second increments until warm. 

Hominy Casserole Recipe FAQs

What is hominy?

Hominy is dried corn that has been treated in an alkaline solution, which makes the kernels larger, softer, and chewier than regular corn. It has a mild corn flavor with a slightly nutty taste, which makes it especially good in creamy, cheesy casseroles like this one.

Do you need to rinse canned hominy?

Yes. Drain and rinse canned hominy well before adding it to the casserole. This removes the excess canning liquid and helps keep the finished casserole from becoming watery.

Is canned hominy already cooked?

Yes. Canned hominy is fully cooked, so you can eat it straight from the can after draining and rinsing it. In this casserole, it only needs to bake long enough to heat through and absorb some of the creamy, cheesy flavor.

Can I use yellow hominy instead of white hominy?

Absolutely. White and yellow hominy have very similar textures and can be used interchangeably in this recipe. Yellow hominy may have a slightly stronger corn flavor, but either works well.

Can I make hominy casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the casserole up to one day ahead, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it. When you're ready to serve, bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes if it's going into the oven cold.

Can I make hominy casserole without jalapeños?

Yes. You can leave the jalapeños out completely for a mild casserole. For a little flavor without as much heat, substitute canned diced green chiles.

What do you serve with hominy casserole?

Hominy casserole works especially well with Mexican and Southern-inspired meals. I like serving it with my Tex Mex casserole, Mexican chili, Southern meatloaf, and fried chicken. It's rich and cheesy, so it pairs especially well with smoky, spicy, or savory main dishes.

More Casserole Recipes To Try Next

• Corn casserole with cream cheese
• Mexican street corn casserole
• Chicken broccoli stuffing casserole
• Taco cornbread casserole
• Mixed vegetable casserole
• Southwest chicken casserole