My cousin's wife brought this to our June cookout and everyone demanded the recipe. Sweet summer corn makes it absolutely irresistible.

This slow cooker 5-ingredient Amish corn noodle bake is exactly the kind of dish that disappears from the buffet table before you’ve even gone back for seconds. My cousin’s wife brought a version of this to our June cookout, and everyone hovered around the slow cooker asking what was in it. The appeal is simple: tender egg noodles, sweet summer corn, and a buttery, creamy sauce that feels like a cross between old-fashioned Amish noodle casseroles and Midwestern church potlucks. It’s comfort food with just enough sweetness from the corn to make it downright irresistible, and it comes together with almost no effort or shopping list.

Serve this corn noodle bake straight from the slow cooker on warm, letting everyone scoop their own portion. It pairs nicely with grilled meats—think brats, burgers, or barbecued chicken—plus a crisp green salad or sliced garden tomatoes to cut through the richness. A side of tangy coleslaw or pickles works well too. For a more complete meatless meal, add a simple cucumber salad and some fresh fruit on the table. Leftovers reheat easily and make a cozy lunch alongside roasted vegetables or a cup of tomato soup.

Servings: 6-8

12 oz wide egg noodles, uncooked

Lightly coat the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray or a thin film of butter to help prevent sticking.

In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, whole milk, melted butter, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. This will be your creamy cooking liquid for the noodles and corn.

Add the uncooked egg noodles and sweet corn kernels to the slow cooker crock. If using frozen corn, there’s no need to thaw first; just break up any large clumps.

Pour the soup-milk-butter mixture evenly over the noodles and corn. Use a spatula or large spoon to gently toss and press everything down so that most of the noodles are coated and submerged in the liquid. It’s fine if a few edges peek out; they’ll soften as they cook.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, stirring gently every 45–60 minutes if possible to help the noodles cook evenly and to prevent sticking along the sides. The mixture will look loose at first but will thicken as the noodles absorb the sauce.

Begin checking for doneness around the 2 1/2 hour mark. The bake is ready when the noodles are tender but not mushy, the corn is bright and cooked through, and the sauce has thickened into a creamy, glossy coating. If the mixture seems too thick, you can stir in a splash or two of additional milk to loosen it slightly.

Once cooked, taste and adjust the seasoning with a bit more salt and pepper if needed. Switch the slow cooker to WARM to hold the casserole for serving at a cookout or potluck, up to about 1–1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally to keep the texture creamy.

Serve the corn noodle bake straight from the slow cooker, making sure each scoop has plenty of sweet corn and glossy noodles. The dish will thicken slightly as it stands, which many people love for that classic Amish casserole feel.

To keep this close to the spirit of an Amish-style casserole and that beloved June cookout version, stick to simple pantry ingredients and let the sweet corn shine. If you’d like to change it up a bit, you can substitute cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup for a portion of the cream of chicken to make it vegetarian (just double-check labels; some condensed soups contain chicken stock). For richer flavor, use half-and-half instead of milk, or add 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar or Colby Jack during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking for a slightly cheesy version that still keeps the corn front and center. A pinch of smoked paprika or a small handful of chopped fresh chives or parsley stirred in at the end will add color and a bit of contrast to the sweetness of the corn. If you prefer a looser, more spoonable texture, stir in extra warm milk a few tablespoons at a time just before serving. Food safety tips: Keep the casserole at a safe holding temperature by using the WARM setting and not leaving it at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it’s very hot outside during a cookout). If you’re using frozen corn, do not let it sit out on the counter for extended periods before adding to the slow cooker; add it straight from the freezer. Cool leftovers quickly and refrigerate within 2 hours in shallow containers. Reheat leftovers to at least 165°F, stirring halfway through if using a microwave to ensure even heating.