Description
Sizzling Mexican flavors dance through this taco-inspired cornbread casserole that brings spicy comfort straight to your dinner table. Hearty ground beef, zesty salsa, and golden cornbread create a quick weeknight meal perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Base Ingredients:
- 1 box cornbread mix
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans
- 1 can (15 oz) corn
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 egg
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Brown 1 lb ground beef in a large skillet at medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes until no pink remains.
- Drain beef fat and mix 1 packet of taco seasoning until meat is fully coated.
- Add 15 oz black beans and 15 oz corn to the skillet, stirring with seasoned beef.
- Spread beef mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, creating an even base layer.
- Pour 1 cup salsa over beef mixture, distributing evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese atop the salsa layer.
- Mix cornbread batter in a bowl using ⅓ cup milk, 1 egg, and contents of cornbread mix box.
- Pour cornbread mixture uniformly over cheese and beef layers in baking dish.
- Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until cornbread turns golden and a toothpick emerges clean.
- Remove from oven and distribute remaining 1 cup shredded cheese across the top.
- Return to 375°F oven for 3-4 minutes to completely melt cheese.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup green onions, and ¼ cup cilantro.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that keeps all the zesty taco flavor.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or hot salsa and taco seasoning to match your spice preference.
- For extra texture, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips or jalapeños on top before baking to add crunch and kick.
- Make this casserole ahead by assembling everything except the cornbread topping, then add batter just before baking to keep the base crisp and fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-37 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 446 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg