Description
This Taco Cornbread Bake is a comforting and flavorful casserole combining seasoned ground beef, spicy Rotel tomatoes, and black beans, all topped with a layer of golden, cheesy cornbread. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers a satisfying blend of Tex-Mex flavors with the hearty texture of homemade cornbread baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
- â…“ cup water
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
- 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (for mixing in beef)
Cornbread Topping
- 1 (8.5-oz) box Jiffy corn bread mix
- Ingredients required to prepare Jiffy cornbread mix (generally 1 egg, â…“ cup milk, and 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil as per package instructions)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Lightly spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the water and taco seasoning mix. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes to develop flavor. Then, mix in ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, the undrained Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, and the drained black beans. Pour this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Cornbread Batter: Follow the package directions to prepare the cornbread mix, typically combining the Jiffy corn bread mix with egg, milk, and melted butter or oil. Once mixed, spread the batter evenly over the beef mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, allowing the cornbread to cook through and start to brown slightly.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For extra spice, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Drain excess fat from beef thoroughly to avoid a greasy bake.
- Rotate the baking dish halfway through baking to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Serve with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for added flavor.
- Use gluten-free cornbread mix if you require a gluten-free dish.
