Description
Savory Mexican cornbread casserole blends spicy southwestern flavors with hearty comfort. Melted cheese, ground beef, and cornmeal create a delightful one-dish meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Corn and Protein:
- 2 cups corn kernels
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Bread and Binding:
- 1 package cornbread mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Seasonings and Vegetables:
- 1 diced onion
- 1 diced bell pepper
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Add diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until vegetables become tender and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, stirring to ensure even seasoning distribution.
- Mix corn kernels into the beef mixture, allowing them to integrate and warm through.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and sour cream until smooth and well-combined.
- Fold the cornbread mix into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just incorporated without overmixing.
- Transfer the seasoned beef and corn mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Pour the cornbread batter over the meat layer, carefully spreading to cover the entire surface.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the cornbread layer for added flavor and golden-brown finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread turns golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or turkey to reduce fat content while maintaining the dish’s robust flavor profile.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting chili powder and adding diced jalapeños for extra heat lovers.
- Make it vegetarian by substituting ground meat with black beans or plant-based protein crumbles for a hearty alternative.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and reduce overall kitchen time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg