Description
Cornbread Taco Bake is a delicious and hearty casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies, topped with melted cheddar cheese and a golden cornbread crust. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with a flavorful Mexican-American twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing the dish)
Cornbread Topping
- 1 box (8.5 ounces) cornbread mix
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, then drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Season Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/3 cup water, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens, ensuring the beef is flavorful and saucy.
- Add Vegetables: Mix in the drained corn, rinsed black beans, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Meat Layer: Spread the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top for a cheesy layer.
- Mix Cornbread Batter: In a separate bowl, combine the cornbread mix, egg, and milk until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the texture light.
- Top with Cornbread: Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the meat mixture, spreading it gently to cover all the filling.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving to let it set for clean portions.
Notes
- Add chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture for extra heat.
- Top the finished dish with sour cream, salsa, or chopped cilantro for added flavor.
- Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter version of this bake.
- For a homemade cornbread or gluten-free option, substitute the cornbread mix accordingly.
