This chili cornbread casserole features the classic combination of a hearty chili topped with a Jiffy cornbread mix.
As a bonus, this family meal is easy and super cheap to make. Read on and I’ll you how to make it in just over an hour. All for about $1.50 per serving!
If you are wondering what to do with leftover Chili, this easy cornbread casserole is your answer!
What is it?
When cold weather comes, comfort food rules at our house. and this chili cornbread casserole always hits the right spot. I call this Dutch oven chili a one-pot wonder and my whole family calls it delicious.
A great use for leftover chili
This easy family meal can also be a is a delicious leftover recipe that starts on the stove top and finishes in the oven. You can use your favorite leftover chili as a base and then mix up a batch of cornbread for the topping.
I took the convenience route and threw a boxed mix of Jiffy brand together.
For the base of this easy family dinner, I use a combination of browned pork and beef, along with some aromatics and cilantro.
This all combines to create a mouthwatering Mexican cornbread casserole.
The heat from the chili and flavor from the cilantro turns this into a delicious chili cornbread casserole.
I take a mostly straightforward and easy route with this cornbread casserole. Still, I jazzed it up a bit by roasting about half of the corn in the oven, while the chili cooked on the stove.
Then I like to roast some corn and mix that into the cornbread batter.
This gives it an added natural sweetness and some nice texture. Both add substance, and flavor to the meal. Our kids refer to this meal as Mexican cornbread casserole. It has all the right flavors!
A big dollop of sour cream makes this recipe even tastier!
My mother-in-law was in town when we made this, and one of the things that she loved about this family dinner was how the boys devoured it.
Recipe highlights
- Make it in one pot.
- The entire meal costs only about $12.00
- Kids love it
Next time you’re wondering what to do with leftover chili, make this chili cornbread casserole. I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it too!
Make this easy family meal with leftover chili in just over an hour.
Our favorite chili recipes
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📖 Recipe
Chili Cornbread Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion coarse dice
- 2 cloves garlic
- Ground beef and sausage 1.5 – 2 lbs total
- 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 2 packets chili seasoning
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can diced tomatoes drained
- 2 8.5 oz boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup corn divided
- 1 16 oz can kidney beans drained
- 1 handful cilantro leaves chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Using large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high setting.
- Add onion and garlic, sautée until onion is soft and translucent.
- Add beef and sausage, brown while stirring. Drain or reduce excess fat or water, if present.
- Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes and chili seasoning and bring to a boil while stirring then reduced to low simmer.
- Stir in tomato paste and stir until thickened.
- Meanwhile, prepare cornbread batter as directed, stir in cheese (and ½ the corn.)
- Add remaining corn, kidney beans and cilantro to meat mixture and mix well.
- Pour cornbread mixture over chili. Place in oven and bake 35-40 minutes, until golden brown on top.
- Remove from oven, allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- Serve with sour cream if desired.
Joyce says
I’ve resorted to checking out the frozen meals, as 5/7 days a week I eat alone, and I don’t enjoy cooking for one,
Last week, I was going to buy a Marie Callender Pot Pie, but then I saw her Corn Bread Pie, with Corn Bread on top of Chili.
Of course, it could have been better (No fault on Marie! I enjoy her pies, but home made is always better).
I wanted more corn bread, spread evenly over the chili, and I have a favorite chili recipe, similar to the one here. I never thought of topping chili with cornbread! Thanks for this recipe.
c
Dan from Platter Talk says
Joyce, this cornbread and chili combination is a match made in heaven; thanks for the great comments and enjoy the love!
Judy says
DO you think I could freeze the leftovers. There are only 2 of us.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Hi Judy, absolutely. Store the leftovers in the fridge for a day or two, or you could freeze for a longer period of time. When you are ready to enjoy the leftovers, I would reheat in an oven if possible.
lynn says
I see that one can of diced tomatoes is listed twice on the ingedients, are we suppose to use 2 cans?
Dan from Platter Talk says
Hi Lynn, thanks for pointing out the redundancy, it should be just one can.
Melissa says
True comfort food! I love that it is so hearty too, the cornbread topping is simply genius!
April says
I love super easy and cheap recipes. They usually turn out to be one of the most delicious ones. Such a treat to find your recipe before the holidays!
Marisa Franca says
What a great looking dish! It sounds like pure comfort food. This is the type of meal that warms you up from the inside out. I’ll be making this recipe soon.
Veena Azmanov says
That is a complete meal in one pot. The sauce on the bottom cornbread on the top. How awesome is that? Perfect weekend meal when you lazy to cook.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
This is an amazing looking comfort food! I love how budget friendly it is, too.
Jen says
We do a chili cook off every year and the one rule it no repeats. I have run out of ideas until now. I am so going to make this (and win!).
Catalina says
This pie is such a great idea! It looks so comforting and hearty meal! Everyone in my family will love it!
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
I make a similar recipes and it is so perfect on a cold night. Filling, hearty, and cozy. Yum!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I love comfort food and this shouts it with chili and cornbread its a match made in heaven!
Noel Lizotte says
“My family calls this delicious” LOL that’s a great line.
I’ve made a similar recipe with taco meat but this chili version sounds perfect for the cold damp nights we have in Ohio.
Tammy says
Hands down one of my favorite cold weather comforts. I could literally be having the worst day, but when I hear chili is on the table, my mood instantly brightens. I love yours with the cornbread baked right into it. Man oh man, what I wouldn’t give to have this for dinner tonight 😀
Mahy Elamin says
Oh God, I add your recipe to my favorites. I want to eat it every day! This is so delicious and it makes my mouth watering. Love this.
Meg @ With Salt and Wit says
Chili and cornbread go great together! Why not make a meal of it! Great recipe!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
This is calling to me! My Mom used to make something similar when I was a kid — you’re taking me back!
Debra C. says
Cornbread + chili + pie = heaven! 😀 Seriously though this looks delicious and perfect for what winter is sending our way!
Raia says
Looks yummy. Sorta like a pot pie, but with chili and cornbread instead of chicken and biscuit topping. Sounds like comfort food!
Willow | Will Cook For Friends says
Oh my gosh this sounds GOOD. I am definitely adding cornbread to the top of my chili next time! And I love the idea of roasting corn to add to the cornbread. So smart!
[email protected] says
This looks so comforting and delicious. Perfect for these chilly days.
Mark, Compass & Fork says
This is just what the doctor ordered for the winter chills. I love that it is an all in 1 dish recipe. Great winter comfort food.
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
This looks so tasty. Perfect cold weather comfort food!
Sharee @ Savory Spicerack says
Oh my gosh I love cornbread and chili together! And you’ve turned it into a pie! Loving it!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much, Sharee!
Jessica says
My husband and brother would be all over this!! It looks like perfect comfort food and is definitely going to be happening at my house this winter!
Ciao Florentina says
This is such a fabulous idea ! I would have never thought of this amazing insanity . So beautiful and pure comfort food.
Sara @ Life's Little Sweets says
This looks like a nice comfort food dish which is perfect for winter nights!
Tracy @ Served from Scratch says
Oh my gosh this is so genius. But of course- bake the cornbread right on top of the chili! Amazing!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
It is so good to know that you’re serving wine with this delicious looking meal!! I think I’ll order two — one to eat here and one to go. Oh no!! You don’t have any left?? Well, darn I’ll just have to make it myself. First let me pin it so I don’t lose it and then I’ll print out a copy. Great recipe!!
Debi @ Life Currents says
This looks so good! I think I’d love to make this for a Super Bowl party. Looks fantastic!
Claudia | Gourmet Project says
Wow! my husband is here, next to me, saying “do it, do it, do it”. 😉
Florian @ContentednessCooking says
Love the spicy flavors here! Thank you so much sharing!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks for the comments, Florian!
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
This looks delicious! My Mom used to make a version of this when I was a kid and I just realized that I’ve never made this for my family. It’s gotta make it on the menu this winter!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much, Rachel. This dinner is a great reminder of simpler meals from the past which are just as good today as ever!
Manila Spoon (Abigail) says
This is such a deliciously creative idea and is the perfect comfort food for winter!!! So yum all over!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks for the comments, Abby – indeed, there is a lotta yum in this one!
David @ Spiced says
Now this is the kind of comfort food that I can get behind! It looks perfect for a cold winter day after you come in from shoveling snow. (Ok, I could go without the shoveling snow part, but you know…) I’m thinking this chili pie needs to make an appearance in our kitchen soon!
Oana @AdoreFoods says
Perfect comfort food! It looks so great and I bet it is super delicious too. Pinned to try it this month
Del's cooking twist says
Ok, I really need to try this dish. It looks awesome!!
Diane says
This is perfect man food, as I’m sure your household can attest! This is a dish my menfolk would be mighty pleased to devour. Love that chili filling and cornbread top! Hearty, delicious and comfort food to the max!
Elena says
This sounds so delicious and comforting!
Nicole Neverman says
This sounds like the most delicious, comforting pie! I would love to just dig right in!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much, Nicole; wish you could have been here to enjoy this one with us!
Mary says
We are having the perfect weather for this dish. It looks fabulous. Pinned, also pinned chili cook-off. Some good recipes. This recipe will be made first. Thanks for sharing.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks, Mary; hope you try some of this chili soon!
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
Chili and cornbread is such a wonderful combination, this sounds delicious and I love that it’s made all in one pot!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much, Joy. We appreciate you dropping by and taking a minute to leave such a nice comment.
Tara says
This looks so good Dan, love this meal, it is one of our faves!!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Many thanks, Tara!
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
Guys, I love it. and I mean love. Great idea to combine two things most of us love!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks, Peter; we all really enjoyed this meal!
Patty Haxton Anderson says
Great thought to roast the corn. I’ll bet the family went in for seconds! I know I would.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks, Patty! And you’re right, the leftovers never made it to day 2.
2 sisters recipes says
WOw guys this looks amazing! We love chili and the cornbread on top makes this pie so comforting. Hope you had a great New Years!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much lades; our whole family loves this dish!