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This hearty chili cornbread casserole features a veggie-packed chili base topped with sweet cornbread for a filling, one-dish comfort food that’s easy to make.

Prep: 10 minsCook: 38 minsTotal: 48 mins
Servings: 8 1x

Ingredients

For the Chili:

  • Cooking spray
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced (1 cup)
  • 1 small bell pepper, any color, diced (1 cup) 
  • 1 small jalapeno, diced (seeds and membranes removed for less heat) additional 2 tablespoons sliced jalapeno for topping, optional
  • 34 garlic cloves, minced (1 ½ tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • ¾ teaspoon fine salt 
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 
  • 1 (14-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans or black beans, drained and rinsed 
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup frozen corn

For the Cornbread Topping:

  • ¾ cup yellow cornmeal 
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour (use 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar 
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
  • ½ cup milk of choice (I used 2%) 
  • 1 large egg*
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • ½ teaspoon white vinegar
  • ¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional for serving: sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, sliced jalapeño and/or lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400℉.
  2. Place a large oven-proof skillet with lid (3.5 – 4 quart capacity) over medium-high heat and mist the skillet with cooking spray. 
  3. When the skillet is hot, add the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, jalapeño (if using), and garlic.  
  4. Cook for 8-9 minutes or until the beef is cooked through and the onions have softened, stirring occasionally. Use a spatula to break up the meat and mix in the vegetables.
  5. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet; stir to combine. 
  6. Add the tomato sauce, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, and frozen corn to the beef mixture. Stir well and bring almost to a boil. 
  7. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, with the lid on, for 8 minutes. 
  8. Remove the lid and continue cooking for another 4 minutes. 
  9. Meanwhile, make the cornbread topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine. 
  10. Add the milk, egg, oil, and vinegar; stir just until the batter is smooth. 
  11. Drop the cornbread batter onto the chili in 6-8 mounds. Top each cornbread mound with a jalapeno slice (if using). 
  12. Bake for 10 minutes, then sprinkle the cheese over top of the casserole and biscuits. Return to the oven for another 6-8 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean.
  13. Remove the skillet from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving. 
  14. If desired, serve with sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, sliced jalapeño and/or lime wedges.

Notes

To make the biscuits egg-free, substitute 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) for the egg; let sit for 5 minutes to thicken. Stir into the batter when the egg is called for. 

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of the recipe
  • Calories: 336
  • Fat: 10 g
  • (Sat Fat: 3 g)
  • Sodium: 970 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 40 g
  • (Fiber: 8 g
  • Sugar: 12 g)
  • Protein: 21 g
  • Cholesterol: 57 mg

Dietary

© The Real Food Dietitians
Recipe By: Jessica Beacom