Description
This Cornbread Taco Bake is a comforting Tex-Mex casserole. It features a savory ground beef and bean filling topped with a golden cornbread crust. It’s a complete, easy meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning)
- ½ cup water
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) corn kernels, drained
- 1 can (10 oz / 284 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 box (8.5 oz / 240 g) cornbread mix (such as Jiffy)
- 1 egg (for cornbread mix)
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) milk (for cornbread mix)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, avocado, green onions, jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning and ½ cup water. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened.
- Mix in the black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Let simmer for another 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Spread the meat mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
- In a bowl, whisk together cornbread mix, egg, and milk according to package instructions. Pour the batter evenly over the meat and cheese layer.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top, and bake for another 5 minutes until melted.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with optional toppings.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Shred your own cheese for smoother melting than pre-packaged shredded cheese.
- Add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like spice.
- Let the casserole cool briefly before cutting—this helps the layers set.
- Pair it with a side salad or roasted veggies for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice