Mexicali Spoon Bread Casserole

Get ready to elevate your dinner game with this savory and satisfying Mexicali Spoon Bread Casserole! This Tex-Mex-inspired comfort food combines layers of seasoned ground beef, black beans, and colorful vegetables simmered in zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies. Topped with a hearty cornbread batter made from scratch and baked until perfectly golden, this dish offers the ultimate fusion of rich flavors and textures. A generous sprinkle of melted cheddar cheese crowns this casserole, while optional fresh cilantro adds a burst of freshness. Perfect for feeding the whole family, this easy-to-make casserole is a one-dish wonder that takes just 20 minutes to prep and serves six. Whether it's for a cozy weeknight meal or a casual gathering, this Mexicali Spoon Bread Casserole will quickly become a household favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 14.5 ounces Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 15 ounces Canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons Taco seasoning
• 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.75 cup Cornmeal
• 1.5 cups Milk
• 2 large Eggs
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion, diced red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, and taco seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove from heat.

Step 5

Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture.

Step 6

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, milk, eggs, sugar, baking powder, and salt until smooth. Stir in the melted butter.

Step 7

Pour the cornbread batter over the beef mixture in the baking dish and spread it evenly. Do not mix.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden and set.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return to the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2446.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3670.1

Total Fat 201.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 103.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 1030.2mg	0%
Sodium 8064.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 282.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 48.3g	0%
Total Sugars 64.2g
Protein 199.3g	0%

Vitamin D 257.0IU	0%
Calcium 2439.1mg	0%
Iron 22.3mg	0%
Potassium 4084.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.5%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 30.2%