Looking for a hearty and satisfying meal that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family? This Chili Cornbread Casserole with ground beef combines rich flavors and simple ingredients to create a deliciously easy dinner option. Featuring ground beef, a blend of spices, and layers of cornbread, this dish is a comforting all-in-one meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Plated portion of cornbread casserole topped with a dollop of sour cream

Why This Recipe Works

Versatility: This cornbread casserole recipe is very versatile. You can easily customize it by adding different spices, vegetables, or types of beans to suit your taste preferences or by using what you have on hand.
All-in-One Meal: This dish combines protein-rich ground beef, nutritious beans, and vegetables with hearty cornbread. It offers a complete meal in one pan, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a filling meal without the hassle of preparing multiple dishes.
Flavorful Comfort Food: The mix of chili powder, garlic, and onions with ground beef gives this casserole a robust flavor base that is both comforting and satisfying. The cornbread topping adds a sweet and soft contrast to the savory filling, making every bite enjoyable.

key Ingredients

ingredients needed to make cornbread casserole

Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below

Cornbread Mix: A box of cornbread mix for a quick and convenient topping. Prepare as directed on the package.
Ground Beef: Lean ground beef forms the hearty base of the casserole. It can be substituted with ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative.
Onion and Garlic: Chopped yellow onion and minced garlic are sautéed with the beef to enhance the flavors.
Chili Powder: Adds a warm spice that complements the other ingredients.
Crushed Tomatoes: A can of crushed tomatoes, included with their juices, adds moisture and flavor to the base.
Beans: Black beans add protein and texture. Other types of beans can be used as well.
Corn: Frozen corn brings a subtle sweetness that balances the savory elements. No need to thaw before using.

How To Make a Chili Cornbread Casserole

Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.

Sauteed ground beef in a skillet with seasonings

Added tomato sauce and corn to a skillet of browned beef

Cook the Ground Beef Mixture: In a large pan, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion until the beef is cooked through and has some color, and the onions are soft. Add the minced garlic and chili powder, cooking for about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant.
Add Tomatoes and Corn: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and corn into the beef mixture. Let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

Chili mixture in a 9x13 inch pan, spreaded

Stir in the drained black beans.
Spread the chili mixture in the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan.

Spreaded cornbread batter on a casserole

Baked cornbread casserole, overhead shot

Prepare the Cornbread: Mix the cornbread batter in a large bowl according to the box instructions.
Assemble the Casserole: Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top this with the cornbread batter, gently spreading it to cover the mixture.
Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown.
Serve: Once baked, let the casserole cool slightly, then scoop out portions to serve. Enjoy your delicious cornbread casserole!

Tips For Making A Cornbread Casserole

Brown the Beef Well: Ensure the ground beef is well-browned before adding other ingredients. This not only cooks the meat but also adds a rich flavor to the casserole by caramelizing the surface of the beef.
Drain Excess Grease: After browning the beef, consider draining any excess grease. This helps prevent the casserole from becoming too oily, keeping the flavors balanced and the texture appealing.
Use Fresh Ingredients for Better Flavor: Freshly chopped onions and minced garlic tend to impart more flavor than their pre-chopped or powdered counterparts. Using fresh ingredients can make a significant difference in the overall taste of your dish.
Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit more kick, consider adding additional spices like cumin, paprika, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chili powder. Adjust the spice levels according to your preference to customize the flavor.
Check for Seasoning: Before adding the cornbread layer, taste your beef and vegetable mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. This ensures your casserole has just the right amount of flavor.
Spread the Cornbread Evenly: When adding the cornbread batter over the beef mixture, make sure to spread it evenly. This helps the cornbread cook uniformly and form a nice crust over the entire casserole.
Don’t Overmix the Cornbread Batter: When preparing the cornbread mix, stir it just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Overmixing can make the cornbread tough and dense once baked.
Let It Rest Before Serving: After baking, allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to cut and serve neatly.

Overhead shot of plated cornbread casserole topped with sour cream

Storing Tips:

Refrigerate Leftovers Promptly: Cool the casserole to room temperature before refrigerating. Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep the casserole moist and fresh. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat Properly: To reheat, cover the casserole with aluminum foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through. This method helps prevent the cornbread topping from drying out. Alternatively, individual servings can be reheated in the microwave for quick meals.

Freezing Tips:

Cool Completely Before Freezing: Ensure the casserole is completely cool before preparing it for the freezer. This prevents ice crystals from forming and affecting the texture.
Freeze in Appropriate Portions: If you anticipate needing only portions of the casserole at a time, consider dividing it into smaller, meal-sized portions before freezing. This makes it easier to thaw and reheat only what you need.
Wrap Well: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Label and date the wrapping so you know what it is and how long it has been in the freezer. Properly wrapped, the casserole can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Thaw Safely: Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor.
Reheating After Freezing: Once thawed, reheat the casserole in the oven covered with foil at 350°F until it’s heated throughout. This helps the casserole retain moisture and ensures even warming.

Satisfy everyone at the table with this hearty and delicious Cornbread Casserole with Ground Beef! Not quite ready to whip this up today? Don’t worry – simply save or pin this recipe so you can easily access it when you’re ready to cook.

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Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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Cornbread Casserole Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

6 servings

This Chili Cornbread Casserole with Ground Beef is a robust, hearty dish that combines savory beef and vegetables with a sweet cornbread topping. It's an all-in-one meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.

Equipment

9×13 inch pan

Ingredients

▢ 1 ½ pounds ground beef
▢ 1 medium yellow onion chopped
▢ 1 tablespoon chili powder
▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
▢ 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes do not drain
▢ 1 ½ cups frozen corn
▢ 1 15-ounce can black beans drained
▢ 1 11.5-ounce box cornbread mix

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375° and lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
In a large pan, brown the ground beef with the onion until the meat is cooked and has some color and the onions are soft. Add in the garlic and the chili seasoning packet. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add in the crushed tomatoes and the corn and stir, let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add in the black beans. In a large bowl, prepare the cornbread mix as directed on the back of the box.
Add the chili mixture into the baking dish and spread around, top with the cornbread batter and lightly spread around. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Scoop and serve.

Notes

Brown Beef Well: Ensure deep flavor by thoroughly browning the beef.
Drain Grease: Remove excess grease after browning to keep the dish balanced.
Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh onions and garlic for the best taste.
Even Cornbread Layer: Spread cornbread batter evenly for consistent cooking.
Check Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning before baking for perfect flavor.
Rest Before Serving: Let sit for a few minutes after baking for easier serving.

Nutrition

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

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