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Stuffed Mexican Cornbread

This hearty Stuffed Mexican Cornbread is loaded with taco-seasoned ground beef and plenty of melted shredded cheese in every bite. Baked until golden and fluffy, it’s packed with bold Tex-Mex flavor and can easily be customized to your preferred heat level depending on the taco sauce you choose. Serve it alongside a cozy bowl of soup, a fresh taco salad, or use it to dress up a simple pot of pinto beans. Whether enjoyed as a satisfying side dish or a filling main entrée, this easy cornbread recipe is pure comfort food with a kick.

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Easy Stuffed Mexican Cornbread Recipe

Cornbread wears a lot of hats, especially here in the South, and this Stuffed Mexican Cornbread is a fun twist on the classic. It keeps that cozy, comforting vibe Southern cornbread is known for, but takes things up a notch with taco-seasoned ground beef and plenty of melty cheese baked right inside. It’s hearty enough to pass as a main dish, yet still feels right at home served alongside a simple bowl of pinto beans. Whether you call it supper or a side, this cornbread proves it can do a little bit of everything and do it well.

Checkout this quick list of key ingredients you’ll need to make Stuffed Mexican Cornbread: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

  • Cornmeal – This recipe uses self-rising cornmeal which already has baking powder, baking soda and salt included.
  • Liquid – Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and thins the cornbread batter.
  • Creamed Corn – Cream style corn expands the flavor and adds texture.
  • Oil – Vegetable oil adds moisture to the cornbread.
  • Whole Eggs – Large eggs stabilize the batter.
  • Green Chiles – Chopped chiles add a hint of spice.
  • Sugar – A small amount of granulated sugar (white sugar) balances the flavor, but doesn’t make the cornbread layer sweet.
  • Onion – Green onions for a mild onion flavor.
  • Beef – Lean ground beef for the taco meat filling. This is cooked with diced onion and garlic for added flavor.
  • Spices – Taco seasoning, seasoned salt, cumin and lemon pepper or black pepper.
  • Liquid – Prepared taco sauce adds moisture.
  • Cheese – You can use a bag of Mexican blend of cheese or colby jack cheese.
  • Garnish – Fresh chives for garnishing.
how-to-make-stuffed-mexican-cornbread

How to Make the BEST Stuffed Mexican Cornbread Recipe

  • Heat Oven and Prepare Dish – Preheat the oven to 375 degrees f. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Combine Cornbread Ingredients – Whisk together the cornmeal, corn, buttermilk, green chiles, eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, green onions and salt. Fold in one cup cheese.
  • Cook Ground Beef – Sauté onion and ground beef over medium-high heat in a few drizzles of oil. Add garlic, drain excess grease from pan.
  • Add Seasonings and Taco Sauce – Add taco sauce, taco seasoning, salt, cumin and lemon pepper. Simmer 2 minutes.
  • Assemble the Cornbread – Pour 1/2 of the cornbread batter into the baking dish. Top with ground beef mixture and cheese, then pour the remaining cornbread batter on top.
  • Oven – Bake per the recipe, then sprinkle top with remaining cheese. Continue to bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean.
  • Serve – Let stand 5 minutes then slice and serve.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Stuffed Mexican Cornbread Recipe

  • Large skillet and spoon.
  • Measuring cups and spoons.
  • Balloon whisk.
  • Chopping board and knife.
  • Cheese grater.
  • 13×9 inch baking dish.

stuffed-mexican-cornbread-recipe

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

  • Protein – You can use ground turkey, chorizo or ground chicken in this recipe.
  • Peppers – You could add jalapenos or poblano pepper to the ground beef to kick up the level of heat.
  • Cheese – You can adapt using a different variety of cheese. Use monterey jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese or spicy pepper jack cheese.
  • Cornmeal – You can use plain yellow cornmeal adding 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Condiments – You can serve this stuffed cornbread with a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, salsa or pico de gallo.
  • Chives – You can garnish the top with green onions or cilantro.
  • Serving – You could serve this cornbread as a side dish casserole with pinto beans or black beans, with soup, chili or as an entree with a salad. 

Storage and Leftovers

  • Leftovers – Store Stuffed Mexican Cornbread covered with plastic wrap, aluminum foil or transfer to an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating – Reheat in single servings in the microwave.
  • Freezer – You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.
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More Cornbread Recipes to Make

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4.72 from 7 votes

Stuffed Mexican Cornbread

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Bread, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mexican Inspired, Southern
Keyword: stuffed-mexican-cornbread
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 369kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • Cornbread:
  • 2 cups self-rising cornmeal
  • 1 14.75 oz can cream style corn
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 4 oz can diced green chilies drained
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 medium green onions chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Ground Beef Filling:
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 medium sweet onion diced
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 lb extra lean ground beef
  • 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1 tsp seasoned salt may adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 cup taco sauce use mild, medium or hot
  • 2 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend OR colby jack cheese divided use
  • 2 Tbsp chopped chives or cilantro for garnishing optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray an 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, cream corn, buttermilk, green chiles, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, eggs green onions and salt. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheese by hand.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet sauté chopped onion and ground beef over medium-high heat in a few drizzles of vegetable oil. Add garlic.
  • Cook until no pink remains in the beef then drain any excess fat from the pan.
  • To the pan add taco sauce, taco seasoning, seasoned salt, lemon pepper and cumin. Simmer for 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • Assemble the Cornbread: Pour 1/2 of the cornbread batter into the prepared baking dish.
  • Using a tablespoon, drop the ground beef evenly over the cornbread batter. Sprinkle beef with 1 cup shredded cheese. Pour the remaining cornbread batter evenly on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes then sprinkle top with remaining cheese. Continue to bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes back clean.
  • Let stand 5 minutes, then slice and serve garnished with fresh chives and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Notes

  • Protein – You can use ground turkey, chorizo or ground chicken in this recipe.
  • Peppers – You could add jalapenos or poblano pepper to the ground beef to kick up the level of heat.
  • Cheese – You can adapt using a different variety of cheese. Use monterey jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese or spicy pepper jack cheese.
  • Cornmeal – You can use plain yellow cornmeal adding 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Condiments – You can serve this stuffed cornbread with a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, salsa or pico de gallo.
  • Chives – You can garnish the top with green onions or cilantro.
  • Serving – You could serve this cornbread as a side dish casserole with pinto beans or black beans, with soup, chili or as an entree with a salad. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 974mg | Potassium: 339mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 544IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 316mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

 

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22 Comments

    1. That’s a great question, it would work in a 12-inch skillet, but would need to be adapted for that large of a skillet. You’d likely need to double the recipe, but I haven’t tested it. If you try it, let us know how it goes!

      1. 5 stars
        I meant a 10-inch and yes it did fit, but to the rim. Sorry I couldn’t send a picture, but it’s pretty When everyone gets here, I’ll let you

  1. 5 stars
    This. Delicious. Perfectly seasoned. My flat pans were all in storage! Doh! So I ended up using the only container I had available. A glass mixing bowl, which is oven proof. The only thing, I had to stack the cornbread and filling and cheese. Needless to say, I also had to bake it for an hour, before adding the rest of the cheese to the top. However. It came out amazing! Both my husband and I loved the flavor. We both love heat, but we decided we would make the recipe as is, and utilize our own salsa for heat as garnish. Oh my! A winner. Thank you. Have a happy new year!

  2. 5 stars
    This was delicious!!! One question: Is it suppose to be the texture of cornbread? Mine was very wet but so good.

      1. 5 stars
        I apologize Melissa, I couldn’t wait for it to cool off so I cut a piece of it while it was right out of the oven still very hot, after it cooled it was of normal consistency it just looked and smelled so good I couldn’t wait for it to cool off thank you again for the most delicious recipe ever!!!!

  3. I love to bake and cook so im going to make this mexican stuffed cornbread with my own herbs.

4.72 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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