Are you craving a mouthwatering dish that combines the hearty goodness of ground beef with the irresistible sweetness of cornbread? Look no further! This Ground Beef Casserole Cornbread is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds. Imagine a perfect layer of seasoned ground beef, topped with a golden, cheesy cornbread crust that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside – it's comfort food heaven in every single bite!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 60 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 package cornbread mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure that your casserole cooks evenly and the cornbread topping gets a nice golden color.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the pound of ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet, then stir in the can of diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the drained can of corn. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
- While the beef and vegetable mixture is simmering, prepare the cornbread mix according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves mixing the cornbread mix with water or milk and possibly an egg.
- In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly across the bottom.
- Pour the prepared cornbread batter over the beef mixture, spreading it out gently to cover the entire surface.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the cornbread batter.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This will help it set a little and make it easier to cut.
- Serve warm, and enjoy your delicious Ground Beef Casserole Cornbread!
Tips
- For extra flavor, consider adding some minced garlic or a dash of your favorite herbs to the ground beef while cooking.
- Make sure to drain excess grease from the beef to prevent a soggy casserole.
- Use a high-quality cornbread mix or consider making your cornbread batter from scratch for an even more delicious result.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make cutting easier.
- For a spicy kick, add some diced jalapeños to the beef mixture or sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top.
- If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can prepare it up to the baking stage and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or a Mexican blend for unique flavor profiles.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 75mg
