Recipe: Chili Cornbread Casserole (2024)

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Christine Gallary

Christine GallaryFood Editor-at-Large

Christine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, and she has worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW.com. She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. Follow her latest culinary escapades on Instagram.

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updated Jan 29, 2020

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Recipe: Chili Cornbread Casserole (1)

The trusty Dutch oven makes it possible to cook chili and bake a layer of cornbread on top all in one pot.

Serves4 to 6

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Recipe: Chili Cornbread Casserole (2)

When it’s chilly outside and all you want to do is hunker down with a steaming bowl of chili and some warm cornbread, turn to this trusty one-pot casserole. The best part of making chili and cornbread together in one dish is how the cornbread soaks up some of the sauce while still growing crispy on top. Pantry staples give this meaty beef and tomato chili a quick start. Cooking the dish in the Dutch oven means you can pour over an easy cornbread batter before popping it in the oven to bake. The Dutch oven does double duty as a baking dish that you can serve dinner right out of, plus there’s one less baking dish to have to wash later.

This mild, kid-friendly chili gets its flavor from chili powder, cumin, and paprika, but you can always add in some cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. Lean ground beef, a can of kidney beans, and some diced tomatoes round out the chili. After a quick simmer, the casserole gets topped with the cornbread batter and goes into the oven so that the chili gets some more simmering time and the cornbread bakes up with a nice crust on top. Serve with your favorite chili toppings; I’m partial to cheese and sour cream, but some scallions and hot sauce would be delicious too!

Comments

The trusty Dutch oven makes it possible to cook chili and bake a layer of cornbread on top all in one pot.

Serves 4 to 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

For the chili:

  • 2 tablespoons

    vegetable oil

  • 1

    medium yellow onion, diced

  • 3

    medium cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 pound

    lean ground beef

  • 2 tablespoons

    chili powder

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons

    ground cumin

  • 1 tablespoon

    paprika

  • 2 teaspoons

    kosher salt

  • 1

    (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1

    (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes

  • 1 1/2 cups

    water

For the cornbread and serving:

  • 3/4 cup

    finely ground yellow cornmeal

  • 1/4 cup

    all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon

    granulated sugar

  • 3/4 teaspoon

    baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 3/4 cup

    whole or 2% milk

  • 1

    large egg

  • 3 tablespoons

    unsalted butter, melted

  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, thinly sliced scallions, sour cream, or Greek yogurt

Instructions

Make the chili:

  1. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed oven-safe pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and just starting to brown, about 7 minutes.

  2. Add the ground beef and salt and stir, breaking the meat into small pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, and salt. Stir until the meat is well-coated with spices and the spices are deep brown in color and fragrant, about 1 minute.

  3. Add the beans, tomatoes with their juices, and water and stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F. When the chili is ready, remove from the heat. Taste and season with salt as needed.

Make the cornbread:

  1. Place the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

  2. Place the milk and egg in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the milk mixture into the cornmeal mixture and, using a rubber spatula, stir until just incorporated. (Do not overmix.) Stir in the melted butter until just incorporated and no streaks of butter remain; you will have a thin batter. Slowly pour the cornbread mixture evenly over the chili.

    Bake until the cornbread layer is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Remove the pot to a wire rack and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving with toppings if desired.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Filed in:

Canned Goods

Casserole

dinner

easy

Keeps Well

Main Dish

Recipe: Chili Cornbread Casserole (2024)

FAQs

How to eat cornbread with chili? ›

I usually just dip the corn bread in the chili because while I like the flavor of corn bread and chili, I also like the flavor of just chili. (I like to have the best of both worlds.) But many people like to crumble the corn bread in their chili, and why not? It tastes delicious.

Where did cornbread and chili come from? ›

The spicy chili and sweet cornbread are the perfect pairing for all kinds of fall gatherings. This classic couple got its start here in America in 1989 at a Spanish themed food stand in Chicago. It has since grown into a main dish served on most American-style restaurant menus.

What is in casserole dish? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What to eat with cornbread chili? ›

This cornbread chili casserole is delicious served warm with your favorite chili toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, and/or chopped green onions. I usually serve it with a crunchy green salad on the side, and dinner is done!

What do Southerners eat cornbread with? ›

It is a staple food in many Southern dishes and is often served with meals such as black-eyed peas, collard greens, and fried chicken. It can be made in a variety of ways, including as a savory bread to be served with a meal or as a sweeter bread to be eaten as a snack.

What is cornbread called in the South? ›

Corn pones are a staple of Southern U.S. cuisine and have been discussed or referenced by many American writers, including Mark Twain.

Is cornbread good or bad for you? ›

Although it's relatively high in carbs and sodium, it contains several important nutrients, including phosphorus, selenium, and B vitamins. It's also versatile, easy to make, and can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

Why do people eat chili with cornbread? ›

The slightly sweet and buttery taste of the cornbread makes the experience of eating a filling bowl of chili all the more comforting. This is the epitome of a nice home-cooked meal. A hunk of cornbread is perfect for soaking up just the right amount of liquid from the chili, making for the perfect bite with every dunk.

What is the oldest casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

Why put foil on casserole dish? ›

It protects your food from drying out or burning and helps keep in the heat and moisture, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal. Loosely covering your dish with foil can prevent uneven browning while baking. However, tightly sealing your bakeware with foil is the way to go for more steam.

What are 5 components of a casserole? ›

So what's inside? Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese.

Is cornbread good for your stomach? ›

Is cornbread hard to digest? A. Cornbread contains fibre, which is not easily digested or absorbed by the body and passes through the digestive system relatively intact. Fibre also controls bowel motions by softening and increasing the weight and size of the stool, all of which make it easier to pass stool.

What meat goes best with cornbread? ›

The best side dishes to serve with cornbread are deviled eggs, chicken stew, beef stew, pork schnitzel, shrimp stock, London broil, sausage and peppers, mushroom soup, chicken meatballs, chicken marsala, cream cheese, oven-fried chicken, beef curry, green salad, white chili chicken, cowboy soup, and Goulash.

Can I eat cornbread everyday? ›

While cornbread is a good energy source and offers plenty of health benefits from vitamins, minerals, and a small amount of protein, along with small amounts of essential amino acids, there are a few reasons you may want to limit the amount of cornbread you eat.

Do you eat cornbread with chili? ›

This is most commonly served with chili because you can never go wrong with a classic! The slightly sweet corn taste compliments chilis' spiciness. Plus, it is heavenly crumbled on top to scoop up with the beef and kidney beans. However, there are many different cornbread recipes to choose from.

What is the best way to eat cornbread? ›

From ground beef and chicken soup to collard greens and pinto beans, the ideas are endless on what goes well with a said of cornbread. My family loves it with pork loins and roasted chicken. We never seem to get tired of eating it. My kids even like it for dessert with butter and jam.

Why do Southerners eat cornbread? ›

One key reason cornbread has always been a Southern staple is the predominance of corn among Southern crops. Wheat and rye didn't store well in the heat and humidity of the South. Although the South is known for its biscuits, they were a rarity in earlier centuries. Instead, cornbread was the daily bread of the South.

Should chili be with or without corn? ›

Many chili aficionados add a little sweetness to their chili with some brown sugar or even maple syrup to complement the earthy peppers and balance out some of the spice. But adding corn cobs to your chili is the secret to bringing natural sweetness without adding sugar.

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