Easy Cheesy Cornbread Taco Casserole Recipe
This Easy Cheesy Cornbread Taco Casserole combines seasoned ground beef with a flavorful corn and tomato base, topped with a moist and slightly sweet cornbread layer. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it brings together classic taco spices with the satisfying texture of homemade cornbread in a simple one-dish bake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef, browned
- 2 tsp chopped garlic
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3/4 cup water
For the Cornbread Topping
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 3/4 cup cornmeal
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Garlic and Corn: Stir in the chopped garlic and frozen corn, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the corn is slightly thawed and garlic is fragrant.
- Incorporate Tomatoes and Spices: Pour in the diced tomatoes along with chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and paprika. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Add Water and Simmer: Stir in 3/4 cup water, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the beef mixture simmers.
- Prepare Cornbread Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat the egg, then combine it with canola oil and milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined to form a smooth batter.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef and corn mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Spoon the cornbread batter evenly over the top of the beef mixture and spread gently with a spatula to cover.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.
Notes
- For a spicier twist, add chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Top with shredded cheese before baking for an extra cheesy topping.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for added flavor.
Keywords: cornbread casserole, taco casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, Mexican-inspired casserole