The Ultimate Mexican Cornbread Casserole Recipe for Fiesta Lovers

Hearty mexican cornbread casserole promises a delightful twist on classic comfort food that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Layers of savory ingredients create a mouthwatering experience from the first bite.

Corn, ground beef, and cheese blend seamlessly in this satisfying dish.

Warm spices add depth and character to every forkful.

Southwest-inspired flavors bring excitement to your dinner table without complicated cooking techniques.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can create something truly spectacular.

You’ll love how quickly this casserole comes together for a crowd-pleasing meal that feels like a warm hug.

What to Serve with Mexican Cornbread Casserole

• Boost Spicy Mexican Beef Cornbread Casserole Enjoyment
• Pair with Crisp Mexican Lager: Refreshing Corona or Modelo Especial cuts through the rich, spicy flavors and cleanses the palate with its light, clean finish.
• Serve Alongside Zesty Salsa Verde: Tangy green salsa adds bright acidity, balances the casserole's richness, and enhances the overall Mexican-inspired taste profile.
• Create Cool Sour Cream Drizzle: Dollop creamy, cool sour cream on top to temper the dish's heat, provide smooth contrast, and add a luxurious finishing touch.

Store Mexican Cornbread Casserole with Ease

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 months; label container with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Place individual portions on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel, and heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring food safety and maintaining original texture.

Mexican Cornbread Casserole FAQ Roundup

• What are the key spices used in this recipe?

The key spices are chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper, which create a robust and authentic Mexican-inspired flavor profile for the casserole.

• Can I make this recipe spicier or milder?

Yes, you can adjust the heat by adding more or less jalapeño, or substituting with milder peppers like bell peppers or spicier options like serrano peppers.

• Is this dish considered a complete meal?

Absolutely! This casserole combines protein from ground beef, carbohydrates from cornmeal, and dairy from cheese and sour cream, making it a hearty and satisfying one-dish meal.

What You’ll Enjoy About Mexican Cornbread Casserole

• Savor Spicy Comfort: Indulge in a Mexican-inspired casserole that brings bold, zesty flavors and warmth to your dinner table with its perfectly balanced blend of ground beef, cornmeal, and cheese.
• Craft with Ease: This recipe requires minimal prep work and basic cooking skills, making it an ideal choice for home cooks of all levels who want to create a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Champion: Packed with kid-friendly ingredients and customizable heat levels, this casserole appeals to both picky eaters and spice lovers, ensuring everyone at the table leaves satisfied and happy.
• Meal Prep Magic: Serve as a versatile main dish that works perfectly for family dinners, potlucks, and casual gatherings, with the added bonus of potential leftovers that taste even better the next day.

What’s Inside Mexican Cornbread Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that provides richness and substance to the casserole.

• Cornmeal: Creates a traditional, rustic texture and foundation for the casserole.
• Milk: Helps bind the cornmeal mixture and adds moisture.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help the cornbread layer set properly.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and contributes to a creamy, tender texture.

• Onion, Garlic, Jalapeño: Aromatic ingredients that build depth and a slight spicy kick to the dish.
• Corn Kernels: Adds sweetness and textural interest to the cornbread layer.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Salt, Black Pepper: Spices that create a robust, Mexican-inspired seasoning profile.

• Cheddar Cheese: Provides a rich, melty topping that creates a golden, crispy crust.
• Cilantro: Offers a fresh, bright finish to the hearty casserole.

How to Make Mexican Cornbread Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and give your baking dish a generous butter or oil massage to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Brown The Beef

Toss ground beef into a large skillet and cook it over medium-high heat. Break those meaty chunks into tiny pieces until no pink remains, letting it sizzle for about 7-8 minutes.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

• Diced onion
• Minced garlic
• Chopped jalapeño

Sauté these ingredients until they become soft and release their aromatic magic, around 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Spice It Up

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything to create a flavor explosion that’ll make taste buds dance.

Step 5: Create Cornmeal Magic

• Cornmeal
• Milk
• Eggs
• Sour cream

Blend until silky smooth with zero lumpy rebels.

Step 6: Build Corn Comfort

• Corn kernels
• Half the cheddar cheese

Mix until you’ve got a dreamy, textured masterpiece.

Step 7: Layer The Beef Foundation

Spread the seasoned beef across the baking dish, creating a robust meaty base that’ll make everyone swoon.

Step 8: Pour Cornmeal Blanket

Drizzle the cornmeal batter over the beef, making sure it covers every single inch like a delicious blanket.

Step 9: Cheese Crown

Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, creating a golden, crispy crown that’ll make mouths water.

Step 10: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and a knife comes out clean.

Step 11: Rest And Settle

Pull the casserole out and let it chill for 10 minutes. This helps it set and makes cutting a breeze.

Step 12: Final Touch

Shower some freshly chopped cilantro on top, adding a burst of brightness to this Mexican-inspired feast.

Helpful Tips for Mexican Cornbread Casserole

• Boost Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef is completely dry before cooking to achieve perfect, crispy caramelization and deeper flavor development.
• Prevent Cornmeal Lumps: Whisk cornmeal mixture slowly and steadily, using room temperature ingredients to create a smooth, lump-free batter.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust jalapeño quantity based on personal heat preference, removing seeds for milder taste or adding extra for more kick.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Allow cheese to reach room temperature before sprinkling, helping it melt more evenly and create a perfectly golden, crispy top.
• Freshness Boost: Serve immediately after resting to maintain optimal texture and temperature, maximizing the dish's delicious flavor profile.

Flavor Tweaks for Mexican Cornbread Casserole

• Vegetarian Cornbread Casserole: Replace ground beef with black beans, lentils, or plant-based crumbles for a protein-packed meatless version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Substitute cornmeal with riced cauliflower and almond flour to create a keto-friendly alternative that reduces carbohydrate content while preserving the casserole's core essence.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate chorizo instead of ground beef, add diced green chiles, and mix in pepper jack cheese for an intensified southwestern heat and deeper flavor complexity.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free cornmeal, swap regular milk with almond or coconut milk, and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

Mexican Cornbread Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty mexican cornbread casserole brings comfort and zest to dinner tables with its layers of rich flavors and textures. Spicy ground beef, sweet corn, and golden cornbread meld together into a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups cornmeal
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Dairy and Liquids:

• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1 diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 jalapeño pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure easy serving and prevent sticking.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into fine crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
3. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and finely chopped jalapeño to the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Incorporate chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly and develop deep, robust flavors.
5. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, milk, eggs, and sour cream until a smooth, consistent batter forms without any lumps.
6. Fold corn kernels and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the cornmeal batter, creating a rich and textured mixture.
7. Layer the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a robust foundation for the casserole.
8. Carefully pour the cornmeal batter over the beef, ensuring complete and uniform coverage across the entire dish.
9. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top, creating a golden, melty surface that will develop a crispy, appetizing crust during baking.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes, allowing it to set and making cutting and serving easier.
12. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro just before serving to add a bright, fresh finish to the hearty Mexican-inspired dish.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef for a lighter, healthier version of the casserole that reduces overall fat content without compromising flavor.
• Swap ground beef with black beans or plant-based crumbles to create a vegetarian-friendly option that maintains the dish’s robust southwestern profile.
• Consider reducing jalapeño quantity or removing seeds for a milder heat level, allowing more people with sensitive palates to enjoy the casserole.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack or monterey jack to introduce varied flavor dimensions and enhance the southwestern character of the dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 438
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 97 mg