Description
This Cornbread Taco Bake is a flavorful and comforting one-dish meal perfect for weeknight dinners. It combines seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and salsa topped with a golden layer of cornbread and melted cheddar cheese. Easy to prepare and bake, it’s a Mexican-inspired casserole that satisfies the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Cornbread Topping
- 1 (8.5 oz) box cornbread mix
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and cook the ground beef until it is browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease for a leaner dish.
- Season Beef Mixture: Add the taco seasoning and water to the cooked beef, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens. Stir in the black beans, frozen corn, and salsa until well combined. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Cornbread Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the cornbread mix, egg, and milk, mixing according to the package directions until you have a smooth batter.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the beef and bean mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture. Pour the cornbread batter over the top and gently spread it to cover everything.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Add optional toppings such as sour cream, jalapeños, and chopped cilantro if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Add chopped green chilies or jalapeños to the cornbread batter for an added spicy kick.
- Use reduced-fat cheese or milk to lower the fat content if preferred.
- Ensure to drain excess grease from beef to reduce fat in the bake.
