A Hearty Mexican Casserole with a Cornbread Topping

If you’re looking for the ultimate one-pan comfort food, a dish that combines the savory, spicy flavors of a taco with the sweet, tender crumb of homemade cornbread, then you have found your perfect recipe.

Today, we’re making a delicious and incredibly satisfying Mexican casserole with cornbread.

This is a true all-in-one meal. We’ll start by creating a quick and flavorful filling on the stovetop with seasoned ground beef, beans, and corn in a rich tomato sauce.

Then, instead of a traditional crust, we’ll pour a simple, sweet cornbread batter right over the top. As it bakes, the savory filling gets hot and bubbly while the cornbread rises and bakes into a beautiful golden-brown, cake-like topping.

Every scoop is a perfect combination of savory, sweet, and cheesy. This is a guaranteed family favorite that is perfect for a chilly evening or any night you need a simple, hearty dinner. Let’s get baking!

Essential Tools

• 10-inch Oven-Safe Skillet (Cast-Iron is perfect) or a 2-quart Baking Dish
• Large and Medium Mixing Bowls
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula
• Whisk
• Cheese Grater

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Here’s a quick look at the timeline for this easy and crowd-pleasing one-pan meal.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple pantry staples for both the savory filling and the sweet cornbread topping.

For the Savory Beef Filling:

• Lean Ground Beef: 1.5 lbs.
• Onion: 1, chopped.
• Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
• Black Beans: 1 (15 oz) can, rinsed and drained.
• Corn: 1 (15 oz) can, drained.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles: 1 (10 oz) can, undrained (like Ro-Tel).
• Taco Seasoning: 1 (1 oz) packet.

For the Cornbread Topping:

• All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup.
• Yellow Cornmeal: 1 cup.
• Granulated Sugar: ¼ cup.
• Baking Powder: 2 tsp.
• Salt: ½ tsp.
• Egg: 1, beaten.
• Milk: 1 cup.
• Melted Butter: ¼ cup.
• Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Blend Cheese: 1 cup (optional).

The Flavor Architects A Look at the Ingredients

• The Cornbread Topping: This is what makes the casserole so special. The combination of cornmeal and flour creates a texture that is both tender and slightly crumbly. The sugar adds a classic sweetness that is the perfect contrast to the savory filling, and the baking powder is what makes it rise into a light, cake-like topping.
• Ground Beef & Taco Seasoning: The ground beef provides a hearty, savory base, while the taco seasoning is a fantastic shortcut that instantly infuses the filling with a warm and familiar blend of chili powder, cumin, and other spices.
• Tomatoes with Green Chiles: Using a can of tomatoes with green chiles is a great trick. It provides the liquid for the filling, a tangy tomato flavor, and a mild, zesty heat all in one easy ingredient.
• Beans & Corn: This classic duo adds wonderful texture and substance to the filling. The beans add a creamy earthiness, while the corn provides a sweet pop.

Cooking Instructions

This crowd-pleasing dinner is a simple two-part process: make the filling on the stove, top it with batter, and bake it all in one pan.

Step 1: Create the Savory Filling

First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large, 10-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion, breaking the meat apart with a spoon.

Once the beef is browned and the onion is soft, it is very important to drain all of the excess grease from the skillet.

Return the skillet to the heat and stir in the minced garlic and the taco seasoning packet. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are very fragrant.

Step 2: Simmer the Filling

To the skillet with the seasoned beef, stir in the rinsed black beans, the drained corn, and the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles.

Let the mixture come to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until everything is heated through and the flavors have started to meld.

If you are not using an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer this filling to a greased 9×9 inch or similar 2-quart baking dish at this stage.

Step 3: Prepare and Add the Cornbread Topping

In a medium mixing bowl, create your cornbread batter. Whisk together the dry ingredients: the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: the beaten egg, the milk, and the melted butter.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until they are combined. A few lumps are perfectly okay; do not overmix the batter.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Carefully pour or spoon the cornbread batter evenly over the top of the hot beef filling in your skillet or baking dish.

If you are using it, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the cornbread batter. Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

The casserole is done when the cornbread topping is a deep golden-brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the cornbread center comes out clean. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before scooping and serving.

Recipe Variations

This versatile casserole is a perfect template for your own favorite flavors.

• Make it Spicy: For a spicier version, use a “hot” taco seasoning, add a finely diced jalapeño to the beef and onion mixture, or stir a can of hot green chiles into the cornbread batter.
• Different Proteins: This recipe works wonderfully with a pound of ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken instead of the ground beef.
• Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread: For an extra kick of flavor in the topping, stir ½ cup of shredded sharp cheddar and one finely diced, pickled jalapeño directly into the cornbread batter before pouring it over the filling.

Serving Suggestions

This is a hearty all-in-one meal that is perfect served in a bowl on its own.

• Classic Toppings: The best way to serve this is with a dollop of cool sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro or sliced scallions on top.
• Fresh Side: While it’s very hearty, a simple side of sliced avocado or a quick green salad with a lime vinaigrette can add a nice, fresh contrast.
• Salsa: A little of your favorite salsa on the side is always a good idea.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Leftovers of this casserole are fantastic, and the cornbread topping stays surprisingly moist.

• Storage: Let the casserole cool completely. Cover the skillet or baking dish tightly with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot. The cornbread topping will soften upon reheating but will still be delicious.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

FAQs

Can I use a cornbread box mix for the topping?

Yes, absolutely! If you’re short on time, a standard-size box of Jiffy or another brand of cornbread mix is a fantastic and easy shortcut.

Just prepare the batter according to the package directions and pour it over your prepared filling.

Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time?

It is not recommended to fully assemble this casserole ahead of time, as the raw cornbread batter will not sit well on top of the filling for an extended period.

However, you can prepare the entire beef filling a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Then, just before baking, reheat the filling, mix your cornbread batter, and assemble.

Can I make this a vegetarian casserole?

Yes, this is very easy to make vegetarian. Simply omit the ground beef and double the amount of black beans, or use a combination of black beans and pinto beans.

You could also add a cup of sautéed mushrooms for an extra “meaty” texture.

Enjoy Your Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole!

You are now ready to make a delicious Mexican casserole with cornbread that is sure to become a family favorite.

It’s the perfect one-pan solution for a hearty, comforting, and incredibly flavorful weeknight dinner.

I hope you love every single scoop of this savory, cheesy, and sweet dish!