South American Casserole with a North American Twist

Bring vibrant South American flavors to your table with a comforting North American spin in this delightful casserole! The recipe combines savory layers of seasoned ground beef or turkey, black beans, sweet corn, and zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies, all nestled atop a bed of ripe plantain slices for a subtle tropical flair. A fluffy cornbread topping, golden and delicious, crowns this hearty dish, making it the perfect crowd-pleaser for family dinners or gatherings. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and accessible pantry staples like sharp cheddar cheese, cumin, and chili powder, this fusion casserole is as easy as it is flavorful. Serve it warm, garnished with fresh cilantro, for a satisfying, one-dish meal packed with global inspiration! Keywords: South American casserole, fusion recipes, plantain casserole, cornbread topping, comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces whole kernel corn, drained
• 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel-style)
• 1 large ripe plantain, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces cornbread mix (plus ingredients called for on the package)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5

Layer the sliced plantains evenly in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Spread the cooked beef and bean mixture over the plantains.

Step 6

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the meat and bean layer.

Step 7

Prepare the cornbread batter according to the package instructions. Pour the batter evenly over the casserole, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked through. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cornbread layer—it should come out clean.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm and enjoy your South American Casserole with a North American Twist!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2191.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4075.8

Total Fat 221.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 95.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 605.0mg	0%
Sodium 7732.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 344.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 44.7g	0%
Total Sugars 75.5g
Protein 186.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2203.3mg	0%
Iron 28.6mg	0%
Potassium 4131.9mg	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: 48.4%

Protein: 18.1%

Carbs: 33.4%