The Best Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

My latest comfort food obsession, this hearty chili cornbread casserole, combines two classic dishes into one mouthwatering meal.

Layers of robust flavors create a satisfying experience for anyone seeking warmth and richness.

Spicy chili nestles beneath a golden, crumbly cornbread topping that melts in your mouth.

Southern-inspired comfort arrives with each delectable forkful of this one-pan wonder.

Cheese adds a creamy richness that complements the zesty chili perfectly.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can craft something extraordinarily delicious.

Dig in and savor every single bite of this irresistible comfort classic.

Chili Cornbread Casserole Bold Sweet And Satisfying

• Quickly Customize Comfort: Adapt the chili's spice level and ingredients to match family preferences, making it a flexible weeknight hero.
• Effortlessly Meal Prep: Assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready, saving precious cooking time during busy evenings.
• One-Pot Wonder Satisfaction: Combines hearty turkey chili with cornbread topping in a single dish, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor with minimal kitchen effort.
• Budget-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Uses affordable ingredients like ground turkey, canned beans, and simple cornbread mix to create a filling meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.

Chili Casserole and Cornbread Mix

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein base for the chili, good for hearty and healthier meal.
• Red Beans: Classic chili protein and texture enhancer, provides additional nutrients.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder: Core flavor builders for traditional chili taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper: Balanced seasoning for depth and slight heat.
• Chicken Broth: Rich liquid base for developing chili's moisture and flavor.

• Onions, Garlic: Aromatic foundation that builds complex flavor profile.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides acidity, moisture, and traditional chili texture.

• Cornbread Mix: Convenient base for creating golden, fluffy casserole topping.
• Milk, Egg: Binding and moisture agents for cornbread preparation.

• Cooking Oil: Creates non-stick surface and helps initial ingredient sautéing.

Bake Chili Cornbread Casserole This Way

Step 1: Create Flavorful Spice Blend

• Chili powder
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper (optional)

Stir the spices until well combined and set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Turkey Base

Warm oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in diced onions and cook until they become soft and translucent.

Add minced garlic and continue cooking for another minute.

Crank up the heat to medium-high and introduce ground turkey.

Sprinkle the prepared spice mixture over the meat and stir thoroughly.

Cook the turkey, breaking up large chunks, until it’s nicely browned and no longer pink.

Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and red beans.

Mix everything together.

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer.

Cover the pot and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove the lid and continue cooking for 10-20 minutes until the chili reaches a thick, saucy consistency.

Step 3: Whip Up Cornbread Topping

Heat the oven to 400°F.

Prepare cornbread mix according to package instructions, incorporating milk and egg as directed.

Step 4: Layer and Bake the Casserole

Transfer the chili to a casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.

Gently spread the cornbread mixture over the chili, creating a complete top layer without mixing.

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Rotate the dish halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

Step 5: Finish and Enjoy

Allow the casserole to rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.

This helps the dish set and makes it easier to scoop.

Serve hot and savor the delicious layers of spicy chili and golden cornbread.

Cornbread Casserole Ideas With a Chili Twist

• Use dark meat turkey for richer, more robust taste compared to lean ground turkey breast.
• Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control heat intensity, making the dish mild or extra spicy based on personal preference.
• Allow chili to cool slightly before adding cornbread topping to maintain a crisp, golden crust during baking.
• Prepare chili a day ahead and refrigerate for deeper, more developed flavors when assembling the casserole.
• Substitute milk with unsweetened almond milk or water in cornbread mix for lactose-intolerant diet requirements.

Cornbread Casserole Reheats Perfectly Savory

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, preserving the meal for up to 2 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Warm refrigerated casserole at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent cornbread from drying out and maintain moisture.
• Heat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly and prevent cold spots.

Savory Combos For Cornbread Casserole

• Spice Up with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Light, zesty white wine cuts through the chili's richness, balancing the hearty flavors with its bright acidity and herbal notes.
• Complement with Cool Sour Cream Dollop: Fresh, tangy sour cream adds creamy contrast to the spicy turkey chili, mellowing heat and enhancing overall dish complexity.
• Pair with Refreshing Cucumber Salad: Crisp, cool cucumber salad provides a light, refreshing counterpoint to the warm, robust casserole, adding textural variety and palate-cleansing brightness.
• Serve Alongside Craft Amber Ale: Malty, slightly hoppy amber ale matches the cornbread's sweetness while standing up to the chili's robust seasonings and rich turkey base.

Cornbread Casserole Reworks

• Vegetarian Chili Version: Replace ground turkey with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms, using black beans or lentils for protein and maintaining hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute regular cornbread mix with gluten-free cornbread mix, ensuring all spices and broth are certified gluten-free.
• Spicy Southwest Variation: Add diced green chilies, swap cayenne for chipotle powder, incorporate pepper jack cheese into cornbread mix for extra heat and flavor complexity.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace cornbread topping with cauliflower-based crust, use cauliflower rice instead of beans, and increase ground turkey proportion for protein-rich meal.

FAQs

• Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef for ground turkey. Just ensure it’s lean to prevent excess grease in the dish.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has mild spice levels from chili powder and garlic, but you can adjust cayenne pepper to control heat intensity. For less spice, reduce or omit cayenne.

• How do I know the cornbread is fully cooked?

The cornbread topping will turn golden brown and look slightly firm when touched. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean without wet batter.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You can prepare the chili base in advance and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add cornbread topping and bake. Assembled casserole can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.

Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty chili cornbread casserole brings comfort from Southwest kitchens, blending spicy meat and sweet cornbread in one delicious dish. Warm layers of flavor promise a satisfying meal that welcomes friends and family around the table.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 pound ground turkey (85/15 preferred)
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
• 1 pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Liquid and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon oil (canola or any flavorless oil with a high smoke point)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 16 ounce can red beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 8.5 ounce box cornbread mix (e.g., Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix)
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1 egg

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty seasoning blend by whisking together chili powder, salt, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper in a small mixing bowl.
2. Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté diced onions until translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Introduce minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional minute, releasing aromatic flavors.
4. Elevate heat to medium-high and incorporate ground turkey, generously sprinkling the prepared seasoning mixture. Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
5. Allow turkey to brown, breaking up large chunks during the 6-minute cooking process. Ensure meat is evenly cooked and crumbly.
6. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and red beans. Gently combine all ingredients.
7. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
8. Remove lid and continue cooking for 10-20 minutes until chili reaches a thick, robust consistency.
9. Preheat oven to 400°F while chili reduces.
10. Prepare cornbread mix according to package instructions, incorporating milk and egg.
11. Transfer chili to a casserole dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.
12. Delicately layer cornbread batter over the chili, avoiding mixing the two layers.
13. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cornbread turns golden brown, rotating midway for uniform cooking.
14. Allow casserole to rest 15-20 minutes before serving, enabling flavors to meld and structure to set.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing cayenne pepper for heat-sensitive palates, ensuring everyone can enjoy the dish.
• Swap ground turkey with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a vegetarian version that maintains protein and flavor integrity.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduced-sodium beans to control salt content, perfect for heart-conscious individuals.
• Enhance cornbread topping by sprinkling shredded cheese or chopped jalapeños before baking, adding extra depth and personalization to the casserole.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg