Description

Cornbread Chili Casserole is a hearty and comforting one-dish meal combining spicy, savory chili with a sweet, fluffy cornbread topping. Perfect for family dinners and chilly evenings, this easy-to-make casserole blends ground meat, beans, tomato sauce, and warm spices beneath a golden, cheesy cornbread layer that bakes together to create a satisfying and nourishing dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chili Base Ingredients

1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 can (15 oz) chili beans
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or diced tomatoes
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Cornbread Topping Ingredients

1 box cornbread mix (approximately 8.5 oz)
2/3 cup milk
2 large eggs
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend

Optional Extras

Additional cheese for topping
Diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers for spice
Fresh or canned corn kernels to mix into cornbread batter
Honey or maple syrup (1 tbsp) for sweetness in batter

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Instructions

Prepare the Chili Base: Brown the ground beef or turkey in a large skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat. Stir in chili beans, tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors and thicken slightly.
Mix the Cornbread Batter: In a medium bowl, combine the cornbread mix, milk, eggs, and 1 cup of shredded cheese if using. Stir gently just until combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a light, fluffy texture. Optionally, add honey or maple syrup for sweetness or corn kernels for texture.
Assemble the Casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a casserole dish well. Spread the chili mixture evenly in the dish. Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the chili, covering it completely. Sprinkle additional cheese on top if desired.
Bake Until Golden: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use thick chili to prevent the cornbread topping from becoming soggy.
Mix the cornbread batter just until ingredients are combined to keep it tender and light.
Greasing the casserole dish well will help prevent sticking and make serving easier.
Adding a spoonful of honey or maple syrup to the cornbread batter balances the chili’s spice nicely.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow layers to set for cleaner slices.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
Calories: 400 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg