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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure easy serving and prevent sticking.
- 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.
- Add diced onion, minced garlic, and finely chopped jalapeño to the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly and develop deep, robust flavors.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, milk, eggs, and sour cream until a smooth, consistent batter forms without any lumps.
- Fold corn kernels and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the cornmeal batter, creating a rich and textured mixture.
- Layer the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a robust foundation for the casserole.
- Carefully pour the cornmeal batter over the beef, ensuring complete and uniform coverage across the entire dish.
- Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top, creating a golden, melty surface that will develop a crispy, appetizing crust during baking.
- 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.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes, allowing it to set and making cutting and serving easier.
- 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