Best Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe

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This easy chili cornbread casserole has the perfect amalgamation of Mexican flavors from the chili along with the comfort and coziness of a casserole.

This casserole is an absolute favorite in my household, and simply because it is so versatile and delicious.

What’s best is the fact that the leftovers work perfectly as a meal for the next day- my whole family actually waits for me to bake this!

Why I Love This Mexican Cornbread Casserole Dish

Here’s why I love this Jiffy cornbread casserole so much.

• It makes for a great meal that’s wholesome, comforting and full of flavor.
• It is a great main dish to make for a potluck or a summer barbeque, or serve as a weekend meal for the entire family.
• It can be made ahead of time, which makes it a great choice to whip up over the weekend and serve whenever you want to.

Chili Cornbread Casserole Ingredients

To make this easy casserole recipe, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients.

• Olive oil 1 tbsp
• Onion ½ 
• Garlic 3 cloves
• Tomato paste 2 tbsp
• Ground beef 300 g
• Chilies 1 tbsp
• Ground cumin 1 tsp
• Oregano 1 tsp
• Salt 1/3 tsp
• Black pepper ½ tsp
• Canned beans 300 g
• Chopped tomatoes 300 g (Rotel diced tomatoes)

For cornbread:

• Corn Muffin Mix 2 
• Fresh corn kernels 2 tbsp
• Sour cream 1 tbsp
• Butter 4 tbsp
• Eggs 2 

How To Make the Cornbread Casserole

Once you have all your ingredients ready, here’s what you’ll need to do to put the casserole together.

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Prepare all ingredients.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Sauté the chopped onion and garlic in the oil for a few minutes over medium high heat. You can use a large cast iron skillet or a non stick pan for this.

Step 3: Prepare the Ground Beef Mixture

Add the ground beef, tomato paste and stir. Cook this for about 10 minutes. Drain the fat.

Step 4: Add the Spices and Tomatoes

Add all spices, beans, tomatoes, simmer for about 20 minutes. I love using Rotel diced tomatoes.

Step 5: Put the Cornbread Mixture Together.

Mix all the ingredients for the cornbread mix in a large mixing bowl.

Step 6: Assemble the Cornbread Casserole and Bake

Put the ground beef mixture in an ovenproof baking dish, then pour the cornbread batter on it and spread it evenly. Cook this for about 35 minutes in an oven preheated to 190 degrees, or until the top is golden brown.

You can also sprinkle the top of this mixture with some crumbled Cotija cheese or corn kernels for a bit of texture.

Tips & Tricks to Make the Jiffy Cornbread Casserole

Ready to give this Mexican cornbread casserole recipe a try? You might want to have these extra tips and tricks handy.

• While you can use any cornbread mix you can get your hands on, I would highly recommend using Jiffy corn muffin mix for best results. It has the perfect texture you’re looking for in a cornbread mix, and is perfect for this cornbread casserole recipe.
• To add some extra flavor to the corn casserole, you can add some taco seasoning into the ground beef mixture.
• If you’re like me and like a bit of heat in your food, you can add some chopped green chilies into the mixture as well.
• The canned beans are what bring a lot of vegetarian protein into the casserole, but if you don’t have it, you can use some whole corn too.
• To make the cornbread casserole more flavorful and delicious, you can add a layer of sour cream in between the layers of the meat and the jiffy cornbread mix, and then bake.
• If you love cheese, you can add a layer of shredded cheese mixed with some milk in between the layers of the meat and the cornbread batter.
• To bring some extra richness and deliciousness into the casserole, you can use butter instead of the olive oil.
• I would also recommend adding some canned corn or kernel corn into the cornbread mixture along with the eggs and other ingredients. This will lend the cornbread layer that nice bit of texture.

How To Reheat the Mexican Cornbread Casserole

The best way to reheat the Mexican cornbread casserole is to pop it in the microwave for a few minutes.

You can also add a bit of shredded cheddar cheese on the top to bring some moisture and cheesiness into it.

Can You Freeze the Cornbread Casserole?

You sure can! This is one of my favorite parts about this recipe. You can prepare the cornbread casserole ahead of time and freeze it in the baking dish itself.

Remember to cover the baking dish with plastic wrap before you freeze it.

Another great idea is to prepare the ground beef mixture in advance and freeze it, and then get it out when you want to put the dish together, topping it with the freshly made corn muffin mix.

To store the beef mixture, make sure you use an airtight container or a clean dish or container.

How Do I Store The Jiffy Cornbread Casserole?

If you have any leftovers, you can refrigerate them for up to 2 days.

Just remember to cover the baking dish with cling wrap to keep it fresh and protect it from any refrigerator smells.

What to Serve with This Easy Cornbread Casserole

Your classic Mexican cornbread casserole can be enjoyed on its own, right out of the oven.

You can top it with some shredded cheese for extra deliciousness, or team it up with some Pico de Gallo on the side.

More Casserole Recipes

If you enjoyed making and relishing this cornbread casserole, and are inspired and looking to try some more casserole recipes, here are a few good ones you can try out.

• Instant Pot Chicken and Quinoa Casserole
• Instant Pot Taco Pasta Casserole
• Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
• Best Chicken Broccoli Casserole With Rice: Easy Recipe