Our Jiffy Mexican Cornbread casserole is easy to make, or use a layer of homemade cornbread on top for a delicious one pot ground beef hotdish baked in the oven. Make cheesy if you like or with spicy ground sausage for added heat.
This Mexican casserole has two layers. Since chili and cornbread go hand and hand for us it is the best choice for breading if you ask me. You could certainly bake it the other way around with the meat on the top but that makes it a bit soggy for me.
This is one of our favorite recipes with ground beef I make throughout the year. You could use half spicy ground sausage, half beef if you wanted to add some heat to it too. Cheddar cheese on top is optional but most times it is a winner around here so I will add that as well.
Now if you want to add some real heat you can make this a bit spicy with diced chiles and jalapenos. This is How to Make Homemade Rotel yourself or you can just open a can and mix half diced tomatoes and half this or this all the way.
You can use a ton of different fillings once you get the hang of how it is done. We started this whole thing with our Jiffy Cowboy Cornbread Casserole since I make that meal weekly and usually have leftovers. A great second meal so there is no waste that your family will love.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground meat of your choice but ground beef is what we typically use with this one
- 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable works to brown meat in the first step
- Corn kernels drained canned or frozen (not creamed corn) is best
- You want to use quite of bit of packaged taco seasoning for flavor
- You want some liquid, beef broth or stock is the best for flavor
- Diced tomatoes canned, I like petite personally so you get some in every bite
- I like a lot of cheddar cheese grated, some can be added to the top the last 10 minutes too
Can you use spicy ground sausage instead of ground beef?
Yes!! For heat I will use all or half a roll of spicy Jimmy Dean sausage to make this. It adds a ton of flavor to the dish, a bit more fat so it is more moist and you don’t really need any other seasonings if you use this instead of plain beef.
Made with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
If you use a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix then you just need the ingredients listed on the back of that box to create the batter. It will make just about the same amount as if you made this Chili Cornbread Casserole from scratch. Both turn out great but one requires less ingredients.
To add a tweak to traditional cornmeal muffins batter you can add diced green chiles, shredded Monterey Jack cheese or add a pinch of homemade taco seasoning to it.
Variations
If you wanted to use poultry instead you could make Chicken and Cream of Mushroom Soup, shred meat and use that on the bottom instead. So so good too.
Let’s talk about other mixtures we have made similar to this one you can try next. For a sweet and savory mixture, my kiddos love Jiffy Sloppy Joe Casserole too. Most dishes made one night if you have enough can be warmed and put on the bottom with the breading batter on top.
Mexican Cornbread Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- 1 8×8 pan or 7×9
- 1 pan
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef , or half spicy ground sausage, half beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup corn, kernels drained canned or frozen
- 2 tsp taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F. In a pan on the stovetop add oil with meat (can add some diced onions in there too) for about 5 minutes.
- Then add diced tomatoes, corn, seasonings and broth. Stir together, cover and let simmer for 10 minutes over low heat.
- In a bowl mix together cornbread ingredients. Mix in half the cheese into the batter.
- Spray 8×8 dish with non stick spray and pour in ground beef mixture. Spread out in pan. Pour batter over the top and bake for about 25 minutes. Then sprinkle remaining cheese over the top and bake another 10 minutes until melted and lightly golden brown.
- Cool on cooling rack for 5 minutes, scoop out and serve with sour cream on top.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to save leftovers
After making and enjoying this easy recipe you may have some left over. It reheats well if you store it correctly in the fridge so it doesn’t dry out. We have lots of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix Recipes too with just the breading. Follow these steps with pieces you want to save for lunch the next day;
Can you freeze cornbread casserole?
Yes you can. Keep in mind that if there is breading involved, the texture will change when defrosting (not in a good way). If you’re using a casserole dish without a lid or if you want to double-protect it. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil before sealing it in an airtight container or bag for 2-3 months if well sealed. The longer something is stored in the freezer, the more its quality may deteriorate over time.
How to reheat
When reheating cornbread casserole it is best to splash just a bit of water or broth on top, covered with a paper towel to create a bit of steam to moisten it up. Serve as a side dish or another meal. Jump to recipe card below and get started on our Mexican cornbread casserole recipe.
