Chili Cornbread Casserole made easy with ground beef, onions, black beans, and tomatoes all topped with your favorite cornbread mix! Hearty, flavorful weeknight dinner that everyone loves!
This main dish is ideal for family gatherings or meal prep, ensuring there are leftovers for later enjoyment. With straightforward preparation, this chili casserole offers a delectable way to enjoy a classic favorite while providing a nourishing option for any occasion.
Easy Dinner Idea- Cornbread & Chili Casserole
Everybody in my household is obsessed with this Chili Cornbread Casserole! This was such an easy and delicious dinner, prefect for those crazy weeknights as well! Cornbread and chili go amazing together, so why not have it right on top baked together!
This chili casserole is a comforting dish that brings together the heartiness of chili with the sweetness of cornbread, making it both satisfying and flavorful. This recipe combines ground beef, onions, and a perfect blend of seasonings to create a delicious meal that appeals to a wide range of tastes!
Why you’ll love this Simple Chili Casserole Recipe
- Delightful flavors and textures. The ground beef provides a hearty protein base, making it satisfying and filling. The chili seasoning packet simplifies the cooking process while adding robust flavor. It ensures the dish has that classic chili taste with minimal effort.
- Simple steps. This recipe stands out for its ease of preparation. It’s perfect for busy weeknights since it requires minimal hands-on time.
- Feeds large group. Chili Cornbread Casserole is a crowd-pleaser. It can easily feed a family or a group of friends, making it ideal for gatherings or potlucks.
Ingredients for Chili & Cornbread Casserole
Beef: You will need 1 ½ pounds of ground beef for the protein base of this dish.
Onion: Add in 1 white onion, chopped, for incredible flavor.
Chili seasoning: Using 1 chili seasoning packet will help flavor this dish well and easily.
Garlic: For a soft, buttery taste add 2 cloves of minced garlic to this recipe.
Tomatoes: Use one 28-oz can of crushed tomatoes to achieve the classic chili taste and texture.
Corn: Adding 1 ½ cups of frozen corn gives this dish a pop of color and nutrition too.
Black beans: Chili isn’t complete without beans, use one 15-oz can of black beans (drained)
Cornbread: You need one 11.5-oz box of cornbread mix for the perfect addition to this main dish.
How to make Easy Cornbread Chili Casserole
Prep
Get started by preheating the oven to 375°F and then lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside.
Also, chop the onion and mince the garlic (if using fresh cloves).
Assemble casserole
Next in a large pan, over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the onion until the meat is cooked through and the onions are soft. Then stir in the garlic and the chili seasoning packet.
Cook the meat mixture for 1 minute, then add in the can of crushed tomatoes and the corn, stir to combine well. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
After that remove the pan from heat and add in the black beans, mix to combine.
Proceed to transfer the mixture to prepared baking pan.
In a large bowl, prepare the cornbread mix as directed on the back of the box. Then spoon the cornbread batter on top of the chili mixture and lightly spread around to cover the surface of the pan.
Bake
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Scoop and serve topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives. Enjoy!
Variations of this Chili Cornbread Casserole
This Chili Cornbread Casserole offers flexibility in ingredients and flavors. Here are some variations to consider:
- Protein Swaps: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even lentils for a vegetarian option.
- Spice Level: For heat, add fresh jalapeños or use spicy chili seasoning.
- Veggie Boost: Enhance nutrition by incorporating bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach.
- Cheese Addition: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the cornbread before baking. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack works well.
- Bean Variety: Experiment with different beans such as kidney, pinto, or chickpeas.
Chili Cornbread Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 chili seasoning packet
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups corn frozen or canned
- 15 oz black beans drained
- 11.5 oz cornbread mix + ingredients to make the cornbread
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Chop the onion and mince the garlic (if using fresh cloves).
- Assemble casserole: In a large pan, brown the ground beef with the onion until the meat is cooked through and the onions are soft. Stir in the garlic and the chili seasoning packet. Cook for 1 minute, then add in the crushed tomatoes and the corn and stir. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add in the black beans. Transfer mixture to prepared pan.
- In a large bowl, prepare the cornbread mix as directed on the back of the box. Spoon the cornbread batter on top of the chili mixture and lightly spread around.
- Bake: Place pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Scoop and serve topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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How long is this chili casserole good for?
Store leftover chili cornbread casserole in an airtight container in the fridge and it will last for 2-3 days. Reheat a single serving in the microwave.
What is the best type of boxed cornbread to use for this recipe?
A classic cornbread mix works well for this casserole. Brands like Jiffy, Marie Calender’s, or Krusteaz provide a sweet and moist cornbread that complements the savory elements of the chili. Checking the texture and flavor profile on the packaging can help choose the right mix.
What are the nutritional benefits of adding ground beef and beans to a Chili Cornbread Casserole?
Ground beef provides high-quality protein and essential nutrients like iron and zinc. Black beans add dietary fiber and further protein, which aids in digestion and promotes satiety. This combination enhances the dish’s nutritional profile significantly.
Is there a difference in taste between homemade chili cornbread casseroles and those made with canned chili?
Yes, homemade casseroles typically offer a fresher and more customized flavor. Using fresh ingredients allows for greater control over spice levels and texture. Canned chili may have preservatives and a consistent taste, but often lacks the depth found in homemade versions.
For more comfort food recipes, here some of our favorites here:
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- COPYCAT KFC CHICKEN POT PIE
- TURKEY CORN CHOWDER
- CREAMY LEMON CHICKEN PASTA
- HAM & BROCCOLI SCALLOPED POTATOES
- FRENCH ONION TOMATO SOUP
- CROCKPOT GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN PASTA
- CHEESY TOMATO SOUP
- LEMON CHICKEN VEGETABLE SOUP
- POPPY SEED CHICKEN CASSEROLE
- CHEESY BROCCOLI POTATO SOUP
- STUFFED PASTA SHELLS
- BEST TOMATO BASIL SOUP
- SLOW COOKER CHICKEN ALFREDO SOUP
- RITZ CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE
- CHICKEN STROGANOFF RECIPE
Chili Cornbread Casserole is made with a handful of ingredients that comes together to create a hearty and delicious meal. This weeknight dinner is a flavorful dish that everyone is sure to love!
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