This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

This Mexican Cornbread Casserole is packed with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and melted cheese! Baked under a golden layer of made from scratch cornbread for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner!

A baking dish filled with Mexican Cornbread Casserole, its golden cornbread topping revealing a hearty filling of ground beef, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes. A serving is cut and partially lifted with a spatula.
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

This Mexican Cornbread Casserole is one of those casserole recipes that reminds me of cozy family dinners and potluck gatherings. The combination of ground beef, creamy beans, and golden cornbread makes the ultimate comfort food!

Itโ€™s easy to make, feeds a crowd, and always gets rave reviews, especially when topped with sour cream or a little salsa. Whether youโ€™re craving something warm and hearty or want to switch up taco night, this casserole hits the spot every time. For another delicious main dish recipe make Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole and Crock Pot Mexican Casserole.

Ingredients

Nine bowls on a white surface hold ingredients for a delicious Mexican Cornbread Casserole: shredded cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, cooked ground beef, diced tomatoes, green bell pepper, crushed crackers, black beans, and corn.
  • Ground Beef – We used lean ground beef
  • Veggies – We used diced onion and bell pepper
  • Minced Garlic Cloves – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
  • Diced Tomatoes – Substitute with Rotel Tomatoes
  • Black Beans – You can also use add in Pinto Beans
  • Corn Kernels – Use can or frozen corn
  • Taco Seasoning – Use a packet or make Taco Seasoning Recipe
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese – You may use a Mexican blend or pepper jack can add extra flavor in place of the Cheddar cheese.
  • Cornmeal and Flour – Base of the cornbread
  • Baking Powder – Leavening agent
  • Milk – We used whole milk
  • Oil – We used vegetable oil but you can use oil that you prefer
  • Eggs – Binds the ingredients
  • Jalapeรฑo – Optional addition

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make Mexican Cornbread Casserole

Raw ground beef in a white skillet with a wooden spoon resting on it, ready to be used in a flavorful Mexican Cornbread Casserole. A colorful striped kitchen towel sits to the left on a white marble surface.

Step 1 – In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat.

A white skillet with cooked ground beef, chopped onions, green bell peppers, and minced garlic is being stirred with a wooden spoon, the perfect start for a Mexican Cornbread Casserole. A colorful striped kitchen towel rests nearby on a white marble surface.

Step 2 – Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the meat mixture. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

A white skillet filled with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, cooked ground beef, and seasoningsโ€”perfect for a flavorful Mexican Cornbread Casseroleโ€”stirred with a wooden spoon. A colorful striped towel rests nearby on the marble surface.

Step 3 – Stir in diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, and taco seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.

A white baking dish filled with Mexican Cornbread Casserole, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sits on a marble surface next to a colorful striped cloth.

Step 4 – Transfer the ground beef mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with lots of cheese.

A white bowl with cornmeal, flour, and a whisk inside sits on a white marble surface next to a colorful striped kitchen towel, ready for mixing the base of a delicious Mexican Cornbread Casserole.

Step 5 – In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.

A white bowl with milk and a raw egg, partially whisked for cornbread casserole, sits on a white marble surface next to a colorful striped kitchen towel.

Step 6 – In another bowl, mix milk, oil, and egg.

A white bowl with wet and dry ingredients partially mixed for Mexican cornbread casserole, and a spatula inside. The bowl is on a marble surface next to a colorful striped kitchen towel.

Step 7 – Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. If using, fold in diced jalapeรฑo.

A baking dish filled with a Mexican Cornbread Casserole topped with a smooth, yellow cornbread layer, partially spread with a spatula. A colorful striped kitchen towel is beside the dish on a white countertop.

Step 8 – Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the beef mixture.

Step 9 – Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10 – Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Then it’s ready to serve and enjoy with salt and black pepper to taste!

A casserole dish filled with Mexican cornbread casserole made of ground beef, black beans, and corn. A serving has been scooped out, revealing the filling. Limes, jalapeรฑo, and a colorful towel are nearby.
A slice of Mexican cornbread casserole with ground beef, black beans, corn, and veggies is served on a white plate with sour cream and cilantro, next to a fork and a colorful napkin.

Mexican Cornbread Casserole

5 from 1 vote
This Mexican Cornbread Casserole is packed with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and melted cheese! Baked under a golden layer of made from scratch cornbread for an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8
Cuisine Mexican
Course Main Course
Calories 565

Ingredients

Mexican Beef Base:

Cornbread Topping:

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and Iโ€™ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375ยฐF.
  • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
  • Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, and taco seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the beef mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In another bowl, mix milk, oil, and egg.
  • Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. If using, fold in diced jalapeรฑo.
  • Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the beef mixture.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Then it’s ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Recipe Tips
  • Ground Beef – Make sure to drain the excess grease from the ground beef before adding in the other ingredients.
  • Chopped Veggies – Chop vegetables ahead of time to save time.
  • Cooking Time – Baking time will vary depending on your oven. Make sure to use a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread to ensure that it is fully cooked. If the toothpick comes out clean then the casserole is finished baking.
Variations Ideas
  • Add more beans – Skip the meat and double the beans or add sautรฉed veggies such as red bell pepper.
  • Change the Meat – Swap beef for shredded rotisserie chicken for a delicious variation.
  • Sweet Heat Twist – Add honey to the cornbread mix for a sweet-spicy balance.
  • Mexican Street Corn – Mix in Cotija cheese, lime juice, and cilantro for flavor. My whole family loves this variation!
  • Change Cornbread – For a moist cornbread, increase the oil to ⅓ cup. For a sweeter version, add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the dry ingredients. We made cornbread from scratch but you can also use jiffy mix.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 565kcal, Carbohydrates 47g, Protein 25g, Fat 32g, Saturated Fat 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat 6g, Monounsaturated Fat 11g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 97mg, Sodium 1000mg, Potassium 768mg, Fiber 8g, Sugar 5g, Vitamin A 665IU, Vitamin C 17mg, Calcium 272mg, Iron 6mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

Serving Recommendations

This Taco Cornbread Casserole is delicious served with your favorite side dishes. We like to serve with a light side dish such as a green salad or Guacamole Recipe and tortilla chips.

You can even serve with Spanish Rice Recipe and add your favorite toppings to the casserole such as black olives, a dollop of sour cream, green onions and Homemade Salsa Recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes! Just assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Make sure to cover with plastic wrap before storing in the fridge.

How to Store Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Can I Freeze Mexican Cornbread Casserole?

Yes! Bake, cool completely, then freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. Reheat in the oven until warm or in the microwave.

A serving of Mexican Cornbread Casserole with ground beef, beans, and vegetables is plated, topped with sour cream and a cilantro leaf. In the background sits a dish of more casserole, along with a colorful napkin and a fork.

More Easy Mexican Casserole

We love to hear from you! If you make Mexican Cornbread Casserole Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and Iโ€™ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly.

Try these other recipes

Share this recipe!

PinYummly

About the Author

Hi, Iโ€™m Carrie Barnard โ€” a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families โ€” without the stress.

5 from 1 vote

Leave A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Casey says:

    5 stars
    My entire family loved this Mexican Cornbread Casserole! It will definitely be on next week’s menu.