YaYa’s Mexican Casserole with Cornbread Topping
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 lb. mild Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 cup frozen corn or Mexican corn thawed
- 1 medium green bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 t. paprika
- 1/4 t. cayenne pepper optional
- 1 1 oz. pkg. reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix
- 1 8 oz. can no-salt-added tomato sauce
- 1 10 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 to 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese
- 1 6 oz. package cornbread mix
- 2/3 cup 2% reduced-fat mix
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13×9 inch glass baking dish.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add ground beef; cook until browned, stirring frequently.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Add sausage to pan; cook until browned.
- Return beef to pan.
- Add corn, bell pepper, onion, garlic, paprika, cayenne (if using), taco seasoning, tomato sauce, tomatoes with green chilies and water.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered until slightly thickened, 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Spoon beef mixture into pan.
- Sprinkle cheese on top.
- Combine cornbread mix, milk and egg in a bowl; mix well.
- Pour evenly over cheese.
- Bake uncovered, 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serves 10.
Yaya’s Tips for Success
- Make sure to fully cook and drain the ground beef before mixing it with the other ingredients to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.
- I like to sauté the chopped onion with the meat so it softens and adds more flavor.
- When combining the beans, tomatoes, and corn, taste your filling before layering to make sure your seasoning is just right.
- If your family prefers a little extra kick, stir in a few dashes of hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper with the taco seasoning.
- And do not overmix the cornbread topping—just stir it enough to combine, or it might get dense instead of fluffy.
Yaya’s Customization Ideas
This recipe can easily be tailored for your family’s preferences.
- You can use ground turkey or even a meatless crumble instead of beef if you’re cutting back on red meat.
- Pinto beans or kidney beans work fine in place of black beans.
- If you love cheesy casseroles (and who doesn’t?), add a layer of shredded pepper jack between the filling and the cornbread.
- You can even stir chopped jalapeños or green chilies into the cornbread batter for an extra layer of flavor.
- Serve it up with a dollop of sour cream or some salsa on the side for a complete meal.
Yaya’s Original Recipe Card
