Easy Recipe —Tasty Chili Cornbread Casserole
Inexpensive Ingredients and Child-Friendly Flavors
May 17, 2009
Chili was created by poor, yet resourceful cooks who tried to stretch small amounts of meat into cheap family dinners. Recipes have been found dating back to the 1700s. Today, chili has become a comfort food in the United States. Every chili aficionado has his or her own preferences for ingredients, seasonings and heat.
Quick Chili Dinner
In this time-saving version of a Tex-Mex style chili con carne, using prepared salsa spares you from chopping tomatoes, peppers and jalapenos. Even the pickiest of kids will appreciate the sweetness added by the corn, cornbread and cheese. The cornbread stays nicely moist perched atop the bubbling chili mixture.
A Tasty Chili Cornbread Casserole could also be a welcomed addition to your next potluck or covered-dish dinner. The casserole makes an attractive buffet presentation, yet the flavor is mild enough for even the most timid diner. Try it, and you'll hear the compliments and many requests for the recipe!
Chili Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1.5 cups of medium chunky salsa
- 1 16-ounce can of corn kernels, drained
- 1 16-ounce can dark red kidney beans, drained
- 1 8-ounce can of plain tomato sauce
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 8-ounce box cornbread mix, plus ingredients to prepare batter
Follow This Simple Chili Recipe
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a 13" x 9" glass baking dish or casserole by greasing it or coating it with a non-stick spray, such as Pam.
- In a 12- to 14-inch deep skillet, brown the ground beef along with the onions. Drain off fat and discard.
- Stir in salsa, corn, kidney beans, tomato sauce and seasonings until well combined. Heat mixture until bubbly, approximately five minutes. Stir well. Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer the chili mixture into the prepared 13" x 9" glass baking dish. Sprinkle cheese evenly across the top of the chili mixture.
- Prepare cornbread mix following the instructions on the box. Spread the batter evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake in the 400-degree oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
Chili Serving Suggestions
If desired, garnish each serving with a small dollop of sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and a sprig of cilantro.
Serve this tasty main dish with a large, leafy green salad for a meal that's sure to delight your family. Or, for variety, offer a raw vegetable platter as your side dish. Arrange baby carrots, red pepper strips, cucumber slices and broccoli florets on a colorful platter, along with ranch dressing as a dip.
Leftovers-if you have any-reheat well in the microwave on 50% power.
