Mexican Casserole with Cornbread Topping

Get ready to elevate your weeknight dinner game with this irresistibly hearty Mexican Casserole with Cornbread Topping! This comforting dish combines bold, zesty flavors with the perfect balance of textures. Seasoned ground beef, black beans, sweet corn, and melty Mexican cheese blend are layered under a golden, fluffy cornbread crust that’s prepared effortlessly from a boxed mix. The optional kick of pickled jalapeños adds an extra layer of heat, while the rich aroma of taco-seasoned vegetables and garlic makes it impossible to resist. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this one-pan wonder is ready in under an hour and pairs beautifully with a dollop of sour cream or a spoonful of salsa. Whether you're craving classic Tex-Mex flavors or need a crowd-pleasing casserole recipe, this dish delivers comfort in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), undrained
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) sweet corn, drained
• 1.5 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 box (approximately 8.5 ounces) cornbread mix
• 0.67 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 0.25 cup pickled jalapeños, sliced (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef and vegetables. Stir to coat, then add the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (including the liquid). Stir to combine and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the black beans, sweet corn, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove the mixture from heat.

Step 6

Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend over the top.

Step 7

In a medium mixing bowl, prepare the cornbread batter according to the package instructions, typically by combining the cornbread mix, milk, and egg. Stir until just combined.

Step 8

Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the casserole. Use a spatula to spread it out if necessary.

Step 9

Optionally, scatter sliced pickled jalapeños over the top of the cornbread batter.

Step 10

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 11

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Slice into portions and serve warm. Optionally, garnish with sour cream, salsa, or chopped fresh cilantro.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2521.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3752.3

Total Fat 228.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 103.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.2g
Cholesterol 896.4mg	0%
Sodium 9698.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 232.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 45.9g	0%
Total Sugars 57.9g
Protein 223.5g	0%

Vitamin D 196.9IU	0%
Calcium 3156.7mg	0%
Iron 22.5mg	0%
Potassium 4759.2mg	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: 53.0%

Protein: 23.0%

Carbs: 24.0%