If you love tacos and cornbread, this Taco-Inspired Cornbread Casserole is about to become your new favorite comfort food. Layered with bold taco flavors, a hearty cornbread base, and creamy cheesy goodness, it’s the perfect family-friendly dinner that comes together fast and tastes even better with your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Quick and easy: Ready in under an hour.
- Customizable: Use ground beef, chicken, or turkey.
- Family-approved: A flavorful and satisfying meal everyone can enjoy.
- Great for leftovers: Reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.
Ingredients (Serves 8)
- 1 (7 oz) packet cornbread mix
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 (11 oz) can Mexicorn, drained
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies), drained
- 2 cups sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
- ½ cup chopped green onions
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced olives
- Diced tomatoes
- Taco sauce or salsa
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cornbread Base
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch (or 2.5-quart) baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cornbread mix, milk, and egg. Stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the Taco Filling 4. While the cornbread bakes, cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain excess grease. 5. Add taco seasoning and water. Stir well to combine. 6. Mix in drained Mexicorn and Rotel. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole 7. Once the cornbread base is lightly golden, remove it from the oven. 8. Spoon the taco beef mixture evenly over the cornbread. 9. In a separate bowl, mix together sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and green onions. 10. Gently spread the sour cream mixture over the beef layer. 11. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese on top.
Step 4: Bake & Serve 12. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 13. Let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve. 14. Add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, olives, or taco sauce for extra flavor.
Tips & Variations:
- Swap the meat: Ground chicken or turkey works just as well.
- Make it spicy: Use hot Rotel or add chopped jalapeños.
- No sour cream? You can skip it or replace it with Greek yogurt.
- Crockpot twist: Use leftover Crockpot taco meat for more flavor depth.
Nutrition (Per Serving, Approximate): Calories: 377 kcal | Protein: 19g | Fat: 32g | Carbs: 4g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g
This Taco-Inspired Cornbread Casserole is a warm, cheesy, and satisfying meal that brings together everything you love about taco night in one easy-to-make dish. Great for busy weeknights, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving something cozy with a kick!