Description
This Cornbread Chili Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining savory seasoned ground beef chili with a fluffy cornbread topping baked to golden perfection. Perfect for cozy family dinners, it features a blend of chili beans, diced tomatoes, and cheese, all layered and baked together for a delicious one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) chili beans, drained
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 packet chili seasoning mix
Cornbread Topping
- 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it is thoroughly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Simmer the chili mixture: Stir in the drained chili beans, diced tomatoes, and chili seasoning mix into the skillet with the beef. Let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Prepare the cornbread batter: In a separate bowl, combine the Jiffy cornbread mix with milk, egg, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until just combined.
- Assemble the casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer the chili mixture evenly on the bottom, then pour the cornbread batter over the top, spreading to cover completely.
- Add the cheese topping and bake: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the cornbread batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- For spicier flavor, add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the chili mixture.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- Use a gluten-free cornbread mix if you need a gluten-free version.
- Adding a handful of corn kernels to the chili mixture can add extra texture and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
