Mexican Beef Casserole
Submitted by pet_tastic
Mexican beef casserole layered with seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, and hot chili peppers between buttermilk cornbread. A hearty one-dish meal with built-in cornbread crust.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
15 minCOOK
45 minREADY
60 minPart tamale pie, part cornbread skillet, this casserole stacks spiced ground beef and melted cheddar between two layers of buttermilk cornbread batter that bakes up golden and tender.
The cornbread layer isn’t a topping here. It goes on the bottom AND the top, sandwiching the meat filling so every forkful gets bread, beef, and cheese together. The buttermilk and baking soda make it rise up around the filling as it bakes, creating pockets of cheesy, beefy cornbread.
Hot chili peppers bring real heat to this dish, not just flavor. If you want to dial back the spice, seed the peppers before adding them, or swap in mild green chiles.
The creamed corn stirred into the batter adds moisture and sweetness that balances the heat from the peppers. It also keeps the cornbread from drying out during the 45-minute bake.
Pro Tips
- Brown the beef well and drain the fat before mixing with onions, peppers, and cheese. Excess grease will make the cornbread soggy.
- Use a deep cast iron skillet if you have one. The heavy bottom prevents the cornbread from burning and gives a crispier crust.
- Let it rest 10 minutes after baking so the layers set and slices hold together.
- Top with sour cream, sliced jalapeños, or fresh cilantro after baking.
Variations
- Tex-Mex style: Add a packet of taco seasoning to the ground beef and swap cheddar for pepper jack.
- Green chile version: Replace hot chili peppers with a can of diced green chiles for milder, smokier flavor.
- Bean boost: Stir a can of drained black beans into the meat layer for extra protein and fiber.
Ingredients
Directions
Brown beef; add onions, peppers and cheese.
Sift together meal, salt and soda.
Combine sifted mixture with beaten eggs, buttermilk, oil and corn.
Pour half of the bread mixture in a deep greased skillet or casserole dish.
Add meat mixture and top with remaining bread mixture.
Bake at 350℉ (180℃) for 45 minutes.
Comments



