Mexican Cornbread Casserole

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Mexican Inspired, Southern

Keyword mexican-cornbread-casserole, mexican-cornbread-casserole-recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Servings servings

Calories 486kcal

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1 medium onion diced
2 medium jalapeno peppers seeded and diced
1 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1 15 oz can chili ready diced tomatoes don't drain
1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
1 15 oz can corn drained
1 5 oz can tomato paste (plus 1 cup water)
2 Tbsp dark chili powder
2 tsp seasoned salt
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp lemon pepper
2 cups pepper jack cheese or cheddar cheese divided use
Cornbread:
1 7.5 oz packets cornbread and corn muffin mix, plus ingredients to prepare on the package i.e. Martha White or Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 cup pepper jack cheese
1 4 oz can diced green chiles drained

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat cook the ground beef, onion and jalapeno pepper for 8-10 minutes or just until no pink remains in the beef. Drain excess grease from the pan.
To the skillet add the canned tomatoes, black beans, corn, tomato paste, chili powder, seasoned salt, cumin, granulated garlic, and lemon pepper. Add 1 cup water, stir to combine.
Simmer the ground beef mixture over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes just until the spices and tomato paste have dissolved. Remove from the heat and sprinkle the top with 1 cup pepper jack cheese.
Cornbread: In a medium bowl stir together the cornbread mix with the ingredients called for on the package. Add shredded cheese and green chiles. Pour cornbread mixture over the ground beef mixture.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean. (You can broil at the end of baking to brown the top further.)
Serve immediately topped with sour cream, tomatoes, sliced jalapeno pepper, cilantro or any of your favorite toppings.

Cornbread: You can make your own homemade cornbread for this recipe. Skillet Honey Cornbread Recipe here.