Beef Cornbread Casserole

Cheesy Beef Cornbread Casserole

If you’re looking for a warm, comforting dish that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep, look no further than Cheesy Beef Cornbread Casserole. This delightful dish combines the savory flavors of ground beef, zesty seasonings, and cheesy cornbread to create a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

• Easy to Prepare: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll whip up this casserole in no time.
• Versatile: You can adjust ingredients and flavors based on your family’s preferences or what you have on hand.
• Comfort Food: This dish is the epitome of comfort food—filling, cheesy, and oh-so-delicious.
• Kid-Friendly: The cheesy goodness and cornbread appeal to kids, making it an excellent choice for family meals.

Ingredients

• For the Casserole:
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Cornbread Topping:
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Add Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until soft, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Mix in Beans and Tomatoes: Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Prepare Cornbread Batter: In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together milk, oil, and egg. Then, mix wet ingredients into dry until just combined. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Assemble Casserole: Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the cornbread batter on top and spread it evenly.
7. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top of the cornbread batter.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving. It can be sliced easily and served warm!

Tips for the Best Cheesy Beef Cornbread Casserole

• Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• Meat Alternatives: Substitute ground beef with turkey or even plant-based ground meat for a healthier or vegetarian option.
• Add Vegetables: You can sneak in other vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.

Storage and Reheating

To store leftovers, allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. This casserole also freezes well; just be sure to wrap it tightly for the best results.

Serving Suggestions

Cheesy Beef Cornbread Casserole makes for an excellent standalone dish, but you can elevate your meal by serving it with:

• A simple side salad for added freshness.
• Some tortilla chips for a little crunch on the side.
• Sour cream or guacamole for a creamy element.

Conclusion

Cheesy Beef Cornbread Casserole is not only an easy dish to prepare but also delicious and filling. Whether you make it for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, it’s sure to be a hit. With various customization options and the convenience of one-pot preparation, this casserole will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.

Be sure to give this recipe a try and experience the cheesy, hearty goodness for yourself. Happy cooking!

Enjoy your delicious Cheesy Beef Cornbread Casserole!

Cheesy Beef Cornbread Casserole

A warm and comforting dish combining savory ground beef, zesty seasonings, and cheesy cornbread that's perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Casserole

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper chopped (any color)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cornbread Topping

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until soft, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.

Cornbread Preparation

1. In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. In another bowl, whisk together milk, oil, and egg. Then, mix wet ingredients into dry until just combined.
3. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese.

Assembly and Baking

1. Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Pour the cornbread batter on top and spread it evenly.
3. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top of the cornbread batter.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cooling and Serving

1. Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving. It can be sliced easily and served warm!

Notes

For a spicy kick, consider adding jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture. You can substitute ground beef with turkey or plant-based meat for a healthier option. Sneak in extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for more nutrition.