Satisfy your comfort food cravings with a hearty Chili Cornbread Casserole. This mouthwatering dish combines the warmth of chili with the sweetness of cornbread, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. Perfect for cozy dinners or potluck gatherings, this Chili Cornbread Casserole is sure to become a family favorite.
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Why This Recipe Works
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.
📋 Ingredients
To make this easy casserole recipe, you'll need just a few simple ingredients.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onions and garlic, setting the aromatic base for your chili.
- Onion: Add a sweet, savory depth to the chili that forms the backbone of its flavor profile.
- Garlic: With its pungent aroma and taste, garlic imparts a robust flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the chili.
- Tomato Paste: Adds a rich, concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the chili.
- Ground Beef: The main protein in your chili, ground beef lends a hearty, satisfying texture and flavor.
- Chilies: Add heat to the chili, which can be adjusted according to your preference.
- Ground Cumin: Gives your chili an earthy, warm flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
- Oregano: Adds a hint of sweet, slightly bitter flavor that enhances the overall depth of the chili.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning, they bring out the flavors of all the other ingredients.
- Canned Beans: Contribute a creamy texture to the chili and are a great source of fiber and protein.
- Chopped Tomatoes (Rotel Diced Tomatoes): Provide a tangy, fresh contrast to the rich, hearty flavors in the chili.
For Cornbread:
- Corn Muffin Mix: Is the base of your cornbread, providing a sweet, slightly grainy texture that pairs perfectly with the hearty chili.
- Fresh Corn Kernels: Add a pop of sweet, juicy flavor and a bit of crunch to your cornbread. You can use kernel corn or canned corn.
- Sour Cream: Gives your cornbread a moist, tender crumb and a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the corn.
- Butter: Enriches the cornbread, giving it a rich, buttery flavor and a moist texture.
- Eggs: Add moisture and help the cornbread rise as it bakes.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Flavor: To add some extra flavor to the corn casserole, you can add some taco seasoning into the ground beef mixture.
- Add Heat: 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.
- Add Sour Cream: 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.
- More Cheese: 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.
- Olive Oil: To bring some extra richness and deliciousness into the casserole, you can use butter instead of the olive oil.
🔪How to Make Chili Cornbread Casserole?
- Step 1: Prepare all ingredients. 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 2: Add the ground beef, tomato paste and stir. Cook this for about 10 minutes. Drain the fat.
- Step 3: Add all spices, beans, and tomatoes, and simmer for about 20 minutes. I love using Rotel diced tomatoes.
- Step 4: Mix all the ingredients for the cornbread mix in a large mixing bowl. 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, then serve.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Use Cornbread Mix: 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.
💭 FAQs
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. 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.
Absolutely! While ground beef is commonly used, you can substitute it with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meats for a vegetarian version. Each option will bring its own unique flavor to the dish.
To achieve a lighter, fluffier cornbread topping, ensure you don't overmix the batter. Mix the ingredients just until combined, as excessive mixing can lead to a denser texture.
Yes, you can prepare both the chili and cornbread topping in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble the casserole when you're ready to bake. This method can save time on busy days.
Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow the casserole to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite side dishes to serve with Cornbread Casserole:
- Zesty Guacamole: Creamy avocados, tomatoes, onions, and lime create the perfect balance for your hearty chili cornbread casserole.
- Crispy Southwest Salad: Fresh lettuce, corn, black beans, and a tangy cilantro dressing add crunch and vibrancy to complement the comforting casserole.
- Cheesy Jalapeño Poppers: Kick up the heat with these spicy poppers filled with gooey cheese – a fiery sidekick to your chili cornbread delight.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives make for a classic, comforting side dish.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Best Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 12 Onion
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 300 g Ground Beef
- 1 tablespoon Chilies
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- ⅓ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 300 g Canned Beans
- 300 g Chopped Tomatoes Rotel diced tomatoes
- 2 Pkt Corn Muffin Mix
- 2 tablespoon Corn Kernals
- 2 tablespoon Sour Cream
- 4 tablespoon Butter
- 2 Eggs
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients. 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.
- Add the ground beef, tomato paste and stir. Cook this for about 10 minutes. Drain the fat.
- Add all spices, beans, tomatoes, simmer for about 20 minutes. I love using Rotel diced tomatoes.
- Mix all the ingredients for the cornbread mix in a large mixing bowl.
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition
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.
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