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.

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 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.

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.

More Cornbread Recipes to Make
- Skillet Honey Cornbread or cornbread goes well with any meal,
- Sausage Cornbread Quiche is a breakfast or brunch rock star.
- This Broccoli Cheese Cornbread will have the kids eating their veggies and loving it, too!
- Cheesy Crockpot Corn Casserole is a delicious side dish option.
- Easy Hot Water Cornbread is simple dish that’s been around for eons.
- Chili Chorizo Cornbread is packed with flavor.
- Add this Southern Cornbread Dressing to your holiday menu.
- Gluten Free Cornbread from Minimalist Baker.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Stuffed Mexican Cornbread
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



Would this fit in a 19 inch cast iron skillet?
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!
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
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!
I love your adaptation, I’m so happy it worked out great for you. Thanks so much!
I can’t wait to make it. My mouth is watering.
I hope you love it!
can you use a 13×9 pan for this recipe?
You can, it will just be a little thinner.
This was delicious!!! One question: Is it suppose to be the texture of cornbread? Mine was very wet but so good.
Hi Diane, I’m happy you enjoyed this. Was it a bit under baked? While the filling is juicy the cornbread shouldn’t be.
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!!!!
No worries, I’m glad it worked well for you!
Very good! I will make this again, next time I will double the meat filling.
I’m glad you enjoyed this, thank you!
Can I freeze? Before or after baking?
You can freeze this after baking.
Can I use something else instead of buttermilk
You can use whole milk, if you prefer.
What taco sauce do you use? Would salsa work as a substitute?
You could use any brand you like. Ortega, Taco Bell or a store brand. You could use a thick salsa instead.
I love to bake and cook so im going to make this mexican stuffed cornbread with my own herbs.