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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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
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.