Description
Hearty, comforting, and incredibly easy to throw together, this Chili and Cornbread Casserole is a one-dish meal perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or cozy weekends. With a spicy, rich chili base topped with a sweet golden cornbread crust, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser. Great for quick dinners, cold-weather comfort, or as part of your dinner ideas rotation, it’s packed with flavor and made with pantry staples. Whether you’re looking for an easy dinner, a healthy-ish comfort food, or just new food ideas, this casserole covers it all.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 package (8.5 oz) cornbread mix
1 large egg
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat and drain excess fat.
3. Add onion and garlic to skillet and cook until softened.
4. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beans, and all seasonings. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
5. Transfer chili mixture to the baking dish and spread evenly.
6. Mix cornbread batter with egg and milk in a bowl until just combined. Stir in cheese if using.
7. Spread cornbread batter gently over the chili layer.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until cornbread is golden and cooked through.
9. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
10. Top with sour cream, green onions, or extra cheese if desired.
Notes
Let the chili simmer longer for deeper flavor before baking.
Don’t overmix the cornbread batter to keep it light and fluffy.
Allow the casserole to rest before serving for cleaner slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 casserole)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: chili casserole, cornbread casserole, easy dinner, quick meal, comfort food, dinner ideas