Easy Cheesy Cornbread Taco Casserole Recipe
This Easy Cheesy Cornbread Taco Casserole is a flavorful and comforting one-dish meal that combines seasoned ground beef, sweet corn, and a cheesy cornbread topping. Infused with classic taco spices, it’s perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering, offering a satisfying mix of savory and slightly sweet flavors baked to perfection.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Taco Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef, browned
- 2 tsp chopped garlic
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3/4 cup water
For the Cornbread Topping
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 3/4 cup cornmeal
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Taco Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Stir in the frozen corn, diced tomatoes (with their juice), chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and paprika. Pour in 3/4 cup water and mix everything until combined. Let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly.
- Preheat the Oven: While the taco mixture simmers, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Make the Cornbread Batter: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the egg with canola oil and milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined to form a batter.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the taco beef mixture evenly into a greased casserole dish. Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the top of the beef mixture, spreading gently to cover thoroughly.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This casserole is delicious on its own or paired with a fresh salad or guacamole.
Notes
- For extra cheesiness, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the cornbread batter before baking.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, add chopped jalapeño or extra chili powder.
- Ground turkey can be substituted for beef for a leaner option.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Make sure not to overmix the cornbread batter to keep it light and fluffy.