Pioneer Woman Mexican Cornbread Casserole Recipe
The Pioneer Woman Mexican Cornbread Casserole Recipe is a warm, hearty, and flavorful dish. It combines savory beef, sweet cornbread and melted cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 cup canned corn drained
- 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup melted butter
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This prevents the casserole from sticking during baking.
Cook the Ground Beef
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Break the meat into small pieces while cooking so it cooks evenly.
Add the Onion
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for about five minutes. The onion should become soft and slightly golden.
Add Vegetables and Seasoning
- Stir in the corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well and cook for five minutes.
Prepare the Cornbread Batter
- In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder and sugar. Stir well so the dry ingredients mix evenly.
Add Wet Ingredients
- Add milk, egg, and melted butter to the bowl. Mix until a smooth cornbread batter forms. Do not overmix. A slightly thick batter works best.
Assemble the Casserole
- Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese on top. Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the filling.
Bake the Casserole
- Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for about 30–35 minutes. The cornbread topping should become golden and fully cooked.
Add Final Cheese Layer
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top during the last five minutes of baking. This creates a melted, cheesy topping.
Cool and Serve
- Remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before cutting. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce extra grease.
- Drain canned vegetables well before adding them.
- Add jalapeños for extra spice if you like heat.
- Do not overmix the cornbread batter.
- Let the casserole rest before serving for better slices.
- Add chopped cilantro for fresh flavor.