Hamburger Corn Casserole: Hearty, Comforting One-Dish Meal

The first time I served this Hamburger Corn Casserole on a chilly autumn evening, my family went completely silent for a full minute as they savored each bite. This hearty, comforting dish combines seasoned ground beef, savory pork sausage, sweet corn, and tangy tomatoes, all crowned with a golden cornbread topping that soaks up all the delicious flavors beneath it. More satisfying than even the coziest sweater on a cold day, this casserole has become our go-to recipe for busy weeknights and potluck gatherings alike.

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Why You Should Try This Hamburger Corn Casserole Recipe

This casserole succeeds by layering complementary flavors and textures that meld together beautifully during baking. The cornmeal topping creates a perfect contrast to the savory meat mixture, while the combination of beef and pork adds depth of flavor. The simple dump-and-bake preparation means minimal hands-on time, yet the result tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Best of all, it reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal planning and busy households.

Why Does This Hamburger Corn Casserole Recipe Work So Well?

• With minimal and readily available ingredients, this hamburger casserole is easily assembled on any given day of the week.
• No weird time-consuming methods are involved; just layer your ingredients and pop your ground beef and corn casserole in the oven.
• This ground beef corn casserole recipe is easily adaptable, allowing you to add or substitute ingredients as desired.
• It’s an amazing casserole to bring to potlucks or tailgates, especially if you have a casserole carrier.

Beef and Corn Casserole – Ingredients You Will Need

Nothing fancy that requires you to run all over town to find. Here’s your ingredient list:

• Ground beef – Provides hearty protein and rich savory base flavor
• Pork sausage – Adds fat and seasoning that enhances the overall flavor profile
• Onion – Creates aromatic foundation and natural sweetness
• Garlic – Contributes essential depth and aromatic complexity
• Canned tomatoes – Adds acidity, moisture, and umami notes
• Canned corn kernels – Provides sweet pops of texture and natural sweetness
• Black olives – Contributes briny, earthy notes and visual interest
• Chili powder – Delivers warm spice notes without overwhelming heat
• Salt – Enhances and balances all flavors
• Cornmeal – Creates the distinctive, slightly sweet cornbread topping
• Milk – Provides moisture and richness to the cornbread layer
• Eggs – Acts as binding agent for the cornbread topping
• Cheddar cheese – Creates a delicious golden, melty crown on top

Ingredient Notes

• For the best taste, use at least 80/20 ground beef. Lean ground beef has less flavor.
• You can use fresh, frozen, or canned corn. If frozen, defrost it before using it for the casserole.

Hamburger and Corn Casserole – How to Make It

This ground beef corn casserole is so easy to put together – it’s one of those basic dump-and-bake recipes! Here’s what you do:

1. Brown the meat together with the onion and garlic in a large skillet and drain off excess liquid.
2. Stir in the tomatoes, corn, olives, chili powder, and salt, and bring to a boil.
3. Transfer the beef mixture to a 9-inch square baking dish.
4. Combine the cornmeal, milk, and eggs.
5. Pour over the meat and sprinkle cheese on top.
6. Bake at 350°F for 40 to 50 minutes.
7. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.

To make a large casserole, double the ingredients and use a 13 X 9-inch baking pan.

Hearty Hamburger Corn Casserole

This comforting one-dish meal combines seasoned ground beef and pork with corn, tomatoes, and olives, topped with a golden layer of cornbread and melted cheese.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Casserole Recipes, Ground Beef

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 424kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 pound pork sausage
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 16 ounces canned whole tomatoes
• 16 ounces canned corn drained
• 20 to 24 black olives
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a dry skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, pork sausage, onion, and garlic until the meat is browned; drain. Return the drained meat to the skillet.
• Stir in the tomatoes with juice, drained corn, olives, chili powder, and salt and bring to a boil.
• Transfer the mixture to an ungreased 9×9-inch baking dish.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, milk, and eggs and whisk to incorporate. Pour this mixture over the meat in the baking dish. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top.
• Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

For maximum flavor, use ground beef with at least 20% fat content. The fat adds richness that makes this casserole truly special. If you’re using lean ground beef, consider adding a tablespoon of butter or olive oil when browning to enhance flavor. The cornbread topping should be poured carefully over the meat mixture to ensure even coverage. If it sinks in spots, don’t worry—it will still cook properly and taste delicious. This recipe scales beautifully for feeding a crowd—simply double all ingredients and use a 13×9-inch baking dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 1018mg | Potassium: 510mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 6.8mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 3mg

Variations and Substitutions

Meat Options:

• Ground turkey or chicken – For a lighter version with less fat
• Mexican chorizo – Adds smoky heat and intense flavor
• Vegetarian crumbles – Creates a meat-free version

Vegetable Additions:

• Bell peppers – Adds color, sweetness, and vitamin C
• Peas – Provides bright color and sweet flavor
• Diced zucchini – Increases vegetable content while adding moisture
• Green chiles – Contributes mild heat and Southwestern flavor

Cheese Options:

• Monterey Jack – Creates a creamier, meltier topping
• Pepper Jack – Adds a spicy kick to the topping
• Mexican blend – Offers varied flavor and excellent melting

What to Serve With Hamburger Corn Casserole

This is a filling casserole all by itself. However, are some serving suggestions:

• Serve it over your favorite pasta or noodle.
• Add a side of pan-fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, or black beans.
• And, don’t forget the salad!

Make-Ahead and Storage Options

• Reheating from frozen: Add 15-20 minutes to baking time; no need to thaw first
• Refrigerator storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days
• Freezer storage: Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months
• Make-ahead method 1: Prepare the meat mixture up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate, then add cornbread topping just before baking
• Make-ahead method 2: Assemble the entire dish, cool, wrap tightly and freeze unbaked for up to 3 months
• Freezer tip: Line baking dish with foil before assembling, freeze until solid, then lift out and wrap tightly for space-saving storage

More Casseroles with Ground Beef

• Broccoli Tater Tot Casserole
• Cheeseburger Casserole
• Hamburger Green Bean Casserole
• Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole
• Jiffy Mexican Cornbread Casserole
• Mexican Tater Tot Casserole
• Sour Cream Noodle Bake
• Spaghetti Casserole
• Taco Casserole with Tortillas
• Tamale Casserole

Favorite Dinner Casseroles

• Chicken Noodle Casserole
• Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole
• King Ranch Casserole

Check out more of my easy casserole recipes and the best recipes for dinner on CopyKat!

Recipe by Virginia McDowell. Jefferson City, MO. 1980.