Mexican Cornbread Casserole is a filling meal. This south-of-the-border-inspired casserole is a great way to feed a family. Boxed Jiffy cornbread mix, ground beef, corn, and a few additional ingredients make for a hearty dinner, and best of all, this dish reheats very well.
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What makes Mexican Cornbread Casserole with ground beef so good?
Mexican cornbread casserole has been one of my favorite weeknight meals. I love how simple this casserole is to put together. With some taco-seasoned ground beef and a few extra ingredients, you can turn this recipe into something your family will love.
Why you should try this easy Mexican cornbread casserole tonight!
Are you looking for a main dish that will fill hungry bellies? This is the recipe for you. This casserole is hearty and flavorful. You can make this ahead of time when you prepare your meal for the week, and this can serve as the whole meal. If you want, you could add a side or two, but this is very satisfying on its own.
Mexican Cornbread with Meat
Casseroles are an excellent weeknight meal option. This Jiffy Mexican cornbread bake is very easy to put together. I like keeping a couple of boxes of Jiffy cornbread mix on hand for recipes like this one.
You can be flexible in this recipe—using sausage instead of hamburger meat. If you have a few extra leftover vegetables in the refrigerator, green beans and carrots are just as tasty as corn.
What Makes Mexican Cornbread Casserole the Perfect Weeknight Meal?
Weekday meals must be easy to prepare, clean up, and, most importantly, something everyone in your family loves. Mexican Cornbread Casserole with ground beef fits this definition to a “T.”
It stores well in the fridge and wonderfully in the freezer. You can get away with serving it as a one-dish meal, add sides if you desire.
And, happily, no one in your family will ever complain that it is Mexican Cornbread with meat night!
Mexican Corn Bread Casserole Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef – I like to use ground chuck. You could swap this out for sausage, ground chicken, or ground turkey if you desire
- Taco seasoning mix – you can use one package or two tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning
- 2 boxes of Jiffy Mix cornbread. If you don’t like Jiffy Mix, use two packages that total up to a dry weight of 17 ounces
- 1 can of cream-style corn
- 1 can of corn kernels
- Shredded Cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, Mexican cheese blend, or Monterey Jack would also work well
- 1 small can of green chilies
How to Make Mexican Cornbread Casserole
Here are the simple recipe steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the taco seasoning according to the package directions. Set the meat mixture aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine two boxes of jiffy cornbread mix according to the package directions. Stir in half of the cream corn and half of the canned corn.
- Pour half of the jiffy corn muffin mix into the baking pan. Top with seasoned ground beef mixture.
- Then, top the seasoned meat with the remaining corn kernels and creamed corn.
- Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese, then the remaining cornbread batter, and top with the remaining cheese.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, and serve.
Recipe variations
You can customize this recipe to your personal preferences, here are some customizations that I like to use.
- Use spicy cornbread kits to add a little more spice
- Add a can of green chilis to the ground beef when you prepare this,
- Add some chopped poblano peppers to the taco meat as you cook it.
- Instead of using taco seasoning, you could use about 6 ounces of your favorite taco sauce.
- Swap out the cheese if you desire.
Customize Mexican Cornbread Casserole with Fun Toppings
Make your casserole fun with these exciting toppings. There is no reason why any night of the week can’t be fun. This Mexican cornbread casserole is one of those easy recipes you want to keep.
- A drizzle of your favorite taco sauce
- Fresh jalapeno peppers or pickled jalapeno peppers if you like a little less heat
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Additional shredded cheese, if desired
- Sliced green onions
- Sliced black olives
How To Serve Mexican Cornbread Casserole With Meat
When the casserole comes out of the oven, let it cool for about five minutes. Then run the tip of a sharp knife along the inside edge of the casserole dish.
Cut the Mexican Cornbread into squares and transfer each portion to a plate using a spatula. Top with your choice of sour cream, green onions, drained canned beans, cheese, or salsa.
What To Serve With Mexican Cornbread Casserole
Although Mexican Cornbread with ground beef makes a great meal, adding a flavorful dish on the side will make it more filling. Here are just a few suggestions:
- Beans. Baked beans and cornbread is a classic combination, but Texas Chili Beans go better with this recipe. You may also want to try a traditional Three Bean Salad.
- Grilled vegetables. Brush your favorite veggies with oil, season wells, and grill over medium heat until nicely charred. No grill? Try these Roasted Brussels Sprouts instead.
- Green salad. A simple salad with a little balsamic vinegarette or Italian dressing adds a lot of crunch and some tang to the meal.
How To Store Cornbread Mexican Casserole
Go ahead and make this dish ahead of time. Please keep it in the casserole dish, and cover the top with aluminum foil. The casserole will stay fresh for three days in the fridge. You can also keep servings in individual airtight containers. It freezes wonderfully for more extended storage.
To freeze:
- Let the Mexican Cornbread cool to room temperature.
- Transfer each slice to a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Freeze for up to two months.
To reheat.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight if frozen.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place Mexican Cornbread slices in a casserole dish or an oven-safe cast iron pot. Leave some space between each piece.
- Spray the top of the cornbread with a bit of water to keep it from drying out.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil or a lid.
- Reheat in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until warm.
To reheat quickly, place a serving on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it in 30-second increments until warmed.
Do you love casseroles? Try these recipes!
- Mexican Beef Casserole
- Chili Relleno Casserole with Ground Beef
- Spaghetti Bake Casserole
- Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
- Sour Cream Noodle Casserole
- Cracker Barrel Casserole
- Baked Potato Casserole Dickeys
- Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef
- Hamburger and Bean Casserole
- Easy to Make Chicken Casserole
More Mexican Food Recipes
Be sure to take a look at more of my main dish casserole recipes and easy to make Mexican food.
Mexican Cornbread Casserole
Ingredients
- non-stick cooking spray
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1.25 ounces taco seasoning mix
- 17 ounces corn muffin mix 2 boxes, Jiffy is recommended
- 14 ounces canned cream-style corn
- 14 ounces canned corn
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces canned green chilies
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, cook the beef over medium-high heat until it browns.
- Drain the beef, and add the taco seasoning per package directions.
- In a large bowl, prepare the corn muffin batter per package directions (but do not bake it yet). Stir in half of the cream-style corn and half of the regular corn.
- Spread half of the cornbread batter in the prepared baking pan and top with taco meat.
- Mix together the remaining cream-style corn and corn kernels and spread that over the meat.
- Sprinkle with half of the grated cheese and all of the green chilies.
- Spread the remaining cornbread mixture on top.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cornbread is baked through.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then cut into squares to serve with any toppings you desire.
Video
Notes
- Swap half of the Cheddar cheese for grated Monterey Jack cheese
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of chipotle into the taco seasoning mix
BB-G
Has anyone tried freezing this? Did you freeze it after cooking? How did you reheat? Time/temp. Thanks!
Rachel
This might be a silly question, but do you think I could sub the green chiles for a can of olives?
Stephanie
I think it would work just fine.
Nicole
Could I put this together and refrigerate to bake later?
Stephanie
I would cook it then refrigerate it. The raw eggs in the cornbread would activate the leavening and if you did this without cooking it, I think the cornbread layer would be really weird.
Sarah Carter
Your site even has this recipe! It seems like for the last year I always end up here. Even with a recipe from my childhood. Amazin Ads are really bogging down the site today…hope that doesn’t always happen tho
Stephanie
Thanks for letting me know your experience isn’t ideal. I appreciate that.
Dlg
I’m confused?? This sounds wonderful but I dont understand draining the Creamed Corn? Why use it if you have to drain it? I generally use chopped chilis and there isn’t much liquid to drain.
Stephanie
I am sorry I don’t see where I stated to drain the creamed corn.
Diana
The recipe doesn’t say to drain any corn Stephanie.. they read wrong. The recipe does sound delicious and will be great during the holidays.
Mike
Stephanie stated to drain the whole kernel corn.
Melissa
This always so good! And easy to make! Made it up ahead and reheats well for the week. Added can of black beans. Thanks!
anju chauhan
hello
Amy Mccreary Smith
I made this for dinner tonight and kept it in my cask iron skillet put it into the oven and 30 minutes later yummy dinner!
Stephanie
I am glad it worked out for you!
Jill
I make a very similar recipe but I add refried beans. It’s been a family favorite for years. When my son came home on leave from the Army that was the first thing he asked me to make.
Vanessa
That’s what I’m adding to mine tonight
Kelly
Do you drain the corn and green chilies?
Bridget
I’m curious also
Stephanie
Yes. Please drain them.
GiGi
The recipe states: 17 ounces cornbread mix 2 boxes
Does that mean I need a total of 34 ounces?
Stephanie
No, it meant use two boxes that are 8.5 ounces each.
Melinda
What’s the best kind of cornbread mix?
Peggy K.
Made this last night for supper. It’s a keeper. Quick and easy and filling! Thanks for sharing.
Mindy
Hello this sounds so good! Do you think this could be sort of halved and put into two 8×8 pans instead of one 9×13? Also do you think this would freeze well?
Stephanie
I think this would freeze fairly well. The casserole would be portioned smaller in 2 8×8 pans.
Jessi
Excellent! After cooking, we top it with salsa, sour cream and guacamole (on occasion). It’s always a hit with the kids & husband!
Christiana Kennedy
I made this dish exactly as directed and I found everything cooked perfect and was the right amount of ingredients for the 11 x 9 baking dish. The cornbread was super moist and all the ingredients were very balanced in flavor. Not too much, not too little. Everything cooked perfectly through for me and there was no need to bake some ahead, etc. For those wanting to nake this dish according to the recipe provided, I don’t feel you need to change anything. I’ve made this 3x’s now and it’s a hit every time!
Delilah
I went in search of this casserole after a neighbor told me she was making Mexican Cornbread Casserole. She isn’t one to share recipes so I didn’t bother asking. Found several, all very similar to this one. It was delicious! Only thing I changed was using jalapeños instead of green chilies.
J Dixon
Love this recipe. Have made a couple of times. One of my favorites. Thanks for sharing!
Janet Dixon
Have made this a couple of times now. It is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing.
Kristi
Delicious!
I combined the corn, cream corn and chilies together. Added ½ into the cornbread mix.
Baked the bottom corn bread layer for 8 minutes at 400.
Then followed the recipe for the rest
It turned out delicious