How to Make the Best Chili Cornbread Casserole in Your City
Your City: This Chili Cornbread Casserole is the ultimate comfort meal—rich, hearty chili topped with soft, golden cornbread.
What Most People Don’t Know About Making Chili Cornbread Casserole
- Let the chili cool slightly: If the chili is too hot, it starts cooking the batter too early and makes the bottom gummy.
- Sour cream makes better cornbread: Buttermilk is good, but sour cream makes the topping softer and more tender.
- The toothpick test matters: Cornbread over chili takes longer due to steam—always check the center, not just the timer.
Ingredients
Chili
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 small bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1½ teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup beef broth or water
- 1½ cups frozen corn
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice or apple cider vinegar
Cornbread Topping
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Toppings (Optional)
- Sour cream
- Sliced jalapeños
- Chopped green onion
- Shredded cheddar
- Hot sauce
Easy Steps
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Chili Base: Brown beef, onion, and bell pepper over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
- Build Flavor: Add garlic and tomato paste. Cook 1 minute, then stir in spices.
- Simmer: Add tomatoes, broth, corn, and optional sugar. Simmer 10 minutes until thick.
- Finish Chili: Stir in beans and lime juice. Adjust seasoning.
- Cool Slightly: Transfer chili to baking dish and let sit 5 minutes.
- Make Batter: Mix dry ingredients in one bowl. Whisk wet ingredients in another, then combine gently.
- Assemble: Spoon batter over chili and spread evenly.
- Bake: Bake 35–42 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Check Doneness: Use a toothpick—should come out clean or slightly moist.
- Rest & Serve: Let sit 10 minutes before serving with toppings.
