• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Laylita's Recipes

  • Home
  • En Español
  • Recipe Index
  • About Laylita
  • Videos
  • Ecuadorian Recipes
    • Ecuadorian Breakfast Dishes
    • Ecuadorian Street Food
    • Ecuadorian Soups
    • Ecuadorian Main Meals
    • Ecuadorian Appetizers
  • Latin Recipes
    • Ceviches
    • Empanadas
    • Plantain Recipes
    • Fish and seafood
    • Latin desserts
  • Sites
    • Receitas da Laylita
    • Recettes de Laylita
    • Travel
    • Viajes
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
X

Laylita's Recipes

  • Home
  • En Español
  • Recipe Index
  • About Laylita
  • Videos
  • Ecuadorian Recipes
    • Ecuadorian Breakfast Dishes
    • Ecuadorian Street Food
    • Ecuadorian Soups
    • Ecuadorian Main Meals
    • Ecuadorian Appetizers
  • Latin Recipes
    • Ceviches
    • Empanadas
    • Plantain Recipes
    • Fish and seafood
    • Latin desserts
  • Sites
    • Receitas da Laylita
    • Recettes de Laylita
    • Travel
    • Viajes
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Laylita's Recipes

Recipes from Latin America and around the world.

  • Home
  • En Español
  • Recipe Index
  • About Laylita
  • Videos
  • Ecuadorian Recipes
    • Ecuadorian Breakfast Dishes
    • Ecuadorian Street Food
    • Ecuadorian Soups
    • Ecuadorian Main Meals
    • Ecuadorian Appetizers
  • Latin Recipes
    • Ceviches
    • Empanadas
    • Plantain Recipes
    • Fish and seafood
    • Latin desserts
  • Sites
    • Receitas da Laylita
    • Recettes de Laylita
    • Travel
    • Viajes
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Home » All » By Ingredient » Corn » Pastel de choclo con queso or pastel de humita savory corn cake

Pastel de choclo con queso or pastel de humita savory corn cake

By Layla Pujol 15 Comments

Pastel de choclo con queso or pastel de humita is a savory baked fresh corn and cheese cake or casserole dish from South America. In Ecuador this is the time of the year where everyone is making humitas with fresh corn.

Jump to Recipe
Baked savory fresh corn cake with tomato and onion salsa

En Español

In case you aren’t familiar with them, humitas are savory steamed corn and cheese cakes. You could say that they are like tamales made with fresh corn, but be careful not to call them tamales or you might get some people very upset. Obviously, this time of the year, or any time during the winter/spring, is not the best time to find fresh corn with the full husks in the US, but I still crave a taste of humitas. As a result I decided to make a pastel de humita o choclo con queso.

This recipe uses the same ingredients as my mom’s humita recipe. However, instead of wrapping the humita mix in a corn husk and steaming them, I put the mix in a baking pan, with a layer of cheese in the middle-, and bake it.

Pastel de choclo or savory corn cake with tomato and onion salsa

Even during the summer months, when making humitas I’ve sometimes run out of corn husks and still have extra humita mix leftover, so I end up baking the leftovers. And yes, I’ll admit that I’ve also prepared this when I really wanted humitas, but was too lazy (or carishina) to deal with the whole humita wrapping process. This pastel de humita can be made with fresh corn, which can sometimes be found around this time of the year (but usually without the husks), but also with frozen corn.

Pastel de choclo con queso or pastel de humita

Pastel de choclo con queso or pastel de humita savory corn cake

Pastel de choclo con queso or pastel de humita is a savory baked fresh corn and cheese cake or casserole dish from South America.
4.79 from 42 votes
Print Pin Your Questions and Comments
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Ecuadorian, Fusion, Latin, South American
Keyword: Cassava cheese bread, Corn, Fresh corn casserole, Humita, Pastel de humita, Savory cake, Savory corn cake
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 10 people

Ingredients

  • 6 cups of corn kernels from about 6-8 fresh ears of corn – can also use frozen corn kernels (defrost first)
  • 3 cups of grated or crumbled cheese mozzarella or a fresh farmers cheese, plus more for topping if desired
  • 1 cup diced white onions about ½ large onion
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • About 1 cup corn meal
  • ¼ cup of heavy cream
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt to taste

Garnishes:

  • Tomato and onion curtido salsa
  • Aji de tomate de arbol or tree tomato hot sauce
  • Aji criollo hot sauce

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
  • Place the corn kernels, 1 cup of cheese, diced onions, crushed garlic, corn meal, cream, eggs, and salt in the food processor, mix until the corn is pureed.
  • Pour half of the corn mix into a pre-greased rectangular oven mold.
  • Add a layer of cheese using the 2 cups of grated cheese. Add another layer with the rest of the corn mix.
  • Cover with foil and bake in a pre-heated oven for about 45 – 50 minutes. It can served directly as is. If you want the extra cheesy version, then add some more grated cheese on top and turn on the broiler until the cheese is melted and golden, about 5 minutes/
  • Serve warm with tomato and onion curtido, tree tomato hot sauce, and aji criollo.

I served this recently at a party and was trying to think about how to call in English. One of my friends said it reminded them of a corn quiche, which is ironic because I was about to call it a fresh corn casserole (to make it more relatable for my American friends, especially the ones from South). Anyway we had a discussion about it, and at the end it was decided that the South Americans would call it pastel de choclo or pastel de humita, the Mexicans would call it pastel de elote, and the Americans/Italians could call it the delicious cheesy corn dish; , though savory baked corn and cheese cake could also work.

Pastel de choclo con queso or cheesy fresh corn casserole

My Ecuadorian version of pastel de choclo or pastel de humita is not the same as the popular Chilean pastel de choclo. The traditional Chilean version has a meat filling and the corn mix is actually cooked before being baked. During the summer in Ecuador we made humitas at my mom’s place and I met a cool lady from Australia who joined us in the humita making get together. She had made the Chilean pastel de choclo before and loved the tomato onion salsa called pebre that they serve it with.

We coincidentally made some tomato and onion curtido that day, which is similar to pebre except that it doesn’t have spicy peppers or garlic, and it went great with the humitas. Just as with traditional humitas, you can also serve this with tree tomato or tamarillo hot sauce.

Tomato and onion curtido salsa 
Tree tomato or tamarillo aji hot sauce
Traditional corn humitas 

Step by step preparation photos for Pastel de choclo con queso or pastel de humita savory corn cake

Fresh corn for pastel de choclo
Use the food processor to blend the corn with 1 cup of cheese, the onion, eggs, cream and cornmeal
Mix until the corn is pureed
Put half of the corn mix in a rectangular oven mold and add layer of cheese
Add the rest of the corn mix
Bake covered with foil at 350F for about 45 minutes
The pastel de choclo can be served like this
For an extra cheesy version, add more cheese on top and turn on broiler for 5 minutes
Pastel de choclo or pastel de humita
Pastel de choclo corn cake with tomato and onion salsa
Pastel de choclo o humita
Pastel de choclo con queso

 

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Similar Recipes

Filed Under: Andean, Cheese, Christmas, Comfort food, Corn, Easter, Ecuador, Kid friendly, Latin America, Main dishes, Quick, Sides, South America, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian

Previous Post: « Egg salad stuffed avocado
Next Post: Kir Royal »

Subscribe via Email

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Instagram

{Repe lojano} Creamy green banana soup with cheese, cilantro, and avocado. This soup always takes me back to my hometown of Loja, just the way the kitchen smells when I cook it makes me feel like I’m back home.
Cranberry pisco sour cocktails {Pisco sour de arándanos rojos}
Quick lunch salad with smoked salmon, avocado, tomato, cucumber, pickled onions and a soft boiled egg - on top of a bed of salad greens (tossed with a simple lemon olive oil dressing)
Baked ripe plantains stuffed with bacon and cheese {Canoas de plátano con tocino y queso}
Grilled shrimp skewers – with a passion fruit achiote marinade {Pinchos de camaron}
Thin beef skewers {Carne en palito}

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Comments

  1. NARCISA FLORES says

    August 30, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Hola Laylita,
    Resido en Houston pero soy ecuatoriana, gracias y bendiciones mi hijo le encanta la comida ecua y por medio de esta pagina que el me recomendo me ayudo.
    Que delicias se encuentran aqui, gracias mil gracias.
    Narcisa Flores

    Reply
  2. Candy says

    July 14, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    I’m so glad i found this blog. This looks so easy to make. Going to be trying out a lot of your recipes. I’ll let you know how it goes.

    Reply
  3. Yosi says

    April 15, 2014 at 11:56 am

    Hola Laylita,

    Can I use canned corn? I don’t want to wait until June here in Germany for fresh corn!

    Reply
    • Layla Pujol says

      April 15, 2014 at 12:28 pm

      Yes, canned or frozen corn works for this recipe.

      Reply
  4. Christy says

    May 20, 2013 at 7:04 am

    Que rico se ve! This looks really similar to a dish that my family makes for Thanksgiving – corn pudding. Last Thanksgiving we made molo instead of the traditional mashed potatoes and I think this year we’ll try this instead of corn pudding! Mi esposo es lojano y le encanta toda esta comida, gracias por todas las recetas buenisimas!!

    Reply
  5. Mirian Hoy says

    April 21, 2013 at 12:58 pm

    Hola Laylita!
    Muchisas gracias por publicar esta practica y deliciosa receta, soy de origen Manabita y eta receta fue perfecta para brindarla en un “spring brunch” al que invite muchas amistades. Este plato fue un exito ya que mucha gente se deleitó al sabotearlo, lo servi junto a otros platos Ecuatorianos como ceviche de pescado con chifles y otras comidas como fritatas y otros platos americanas ya que mi esposo es Americano. Por cierto la torta de humita fue tan facil que la hice la misma mañana del brunch sin ninguna complicacion ;-)
    Te agradezco por las artisticas fotos y el cariño que le pones al preparar cada plato, un abrazo!

    Reply
  6. Norma - Platanos, Mangoes and Me! says

    April 16, 2013 at 2:35 am

    Give me corn and I am a happy woman, but add cheese and I am dancing.

    Reply
  7. Vicky says

    April 9, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    LAYLITA! I was just thinking in making humitas, but it is a lot of work, what a great idea to simplify the recipe. I will be making the recipe this week. Thank you for inspiring people with your recipes and pictures, I have many Latino and American friends asking me for your web site. Thank You!!!

    Reply
  8. Amparo says

    April 8, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    Que chevere, Laylita! I will be making this humita cake very soon. Any suggestions on how to make the sweet version which happens to be my favorite one? Muchisimas gracias por tu excelente trabajo!!!!

    Reply
  9. stella says

    April 8, 2013 at 5:54 pm

    Disfruto mucho de estas recetas. Gracias !

    Reply
  10. sanjivni yatin says

    April 8, 2013 at 12:35 am

    very interesting recipe and loved the pictures……

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to my blog!

My name is Layla Pujol, my family and friends call me Laylita. I was born in Vilcabamba, Ecuador and currently live in Luxembourg. Read More…

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

CATEGORIES

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

SEARCH THIS SITE

Subscribe via Email

Instagram

{Chocolates y dulces ecuatorianos - cuál es tu favorito?}
{Pan de yuca con cafecito} Freshly baked cassava cheese breads - I made a big batch over a month ago when I bought a massive chunk (2kg) of cheese from @mitierralux and frozen most of them(shaped but unbaked). Especially so that I can bake them on demand during these days when we need a quick breakfast/snack/appetizer.
{Feliz Navidad} Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 🎄
{Visitando los mercados navideños de Luxemburgo}
{Comida reconfortante para este frío: plátanos maduros fritos + huevo frito + quesito, con sal prieta}
{Locro de coliflor} Ecuadorian style locro soup made with cauliflower, potatoes and lots of cheese
{Por fin está actualizada mi cocina} My kitchen update is finally done! Last two photos show the before.
{Ecuadorian llapingacho potato patties stuffed with cheese - served with peanut sauce, fried egg, chorizo, tomato onion curtido salsa, and avocado}
{Ceviche de camarón} 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche to watch the big game today!

CATEGORIES

  • Ecuadorian Recipes
  • En Español
  • En Français
  • Em Português
  • Recipe Index

© Laylita.com 2022, all rights reserved. No copy without authorization. Privacy policy | Contact

 

Loading Comments...