Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a moderate casserole dish or those cute mini pans you’ve been saving for a rainy day.
In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, eggs, melted butter, sugar, salt, and pepper. If you’re using paprika or chili, add it now.
Stir in corn, creamed corn (or cornmeal), and shredded cheese. Mix until everything is just combined—don’t overwork it, or you’ll get a dense loaf that looks at you judgmentally.
Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Smooth the top with a spatula and sprinkle with a little extra cheese if you’re feeling fancy.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a knife comes out clean in the center. If it’s browning too fast, loosely cover with foil for the last 10 minutes.
Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. It’s hard to wait, I know, but the extra minute makes it slice nicer.