Southwestern Fiesta Casserole

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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This Southwestern Fiesta Casserole is your ticket to a quick and satisfying meal. With its bold, zesty flavors and easy-to-follow steps, it's perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Dive into this comforting dish that brings a taste of the Southwest to your table.

Ingredients for Southwestern Fiesta Casserole

The star of this dish is definitely the ground beef, adding richness and a hearty texture. Taco seasoning brings that essential Southwestern flavor, with spices like cumin and chili powder. Black beans and corn add extra protein and sweetness, while diced tomatoes with green chilies infuse a bit of acidity and heat. Salsa ties everything together with its vibrant, fresh taste. The cornbread mix creates a fluffy, slightly sweet topping that contrasts nicely with the savory filling. Finally, Mexican blend cheese adds a melty, gooey finish that everyone loves.

Tips & Tricks

  • To make it spicier, add a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • If you prefer, swap ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
  • For a vegetarian version, simply omit the meat and double up on the beans.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole pairs beautifully with a simple side salad of mixed greens and a light vinaigrette. You could also serve it with a side of guacamole or sour cream for extra creaminess. For a more substantial meal, add a side of Spanish rice or refried beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare this casserole in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. Just bake it when you're ready to eat.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! This casserole freezes well for up to three months. Just make sure it's stored in an airtight container.
What if I don't have cornbread mix?
You can make your own by combining cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. There are plenty of recipes online for homemade cornbread mix.

Southwestern Fiesta Casserole Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This gives it a chance to get nice and hot while you prepare the casserole. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it's browned, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.

Next, stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and salsa. Let this mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. This is where all those flavors start to meld together beautifully.

Transfer the beef mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. You want to spread it out evenly so every bite gets a bit of everything.

In a separate bowl, combine the cornbread mix, milk, and egg. Stir until just combined; over-mixing can make the cornbread tough. Pour this mixture evenly over the beef in the baking dish.

Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, covering the cornbread mixture completely. This will melt into a beautiful golden layer in the oven.

Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown. Once done, let it cool for a good 5 minutes before serving. This gives everything a chance to set up nicely.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make — perfect for weeknight dinners.
  • A delightful Tex-Mex twist with a comforting cornbread topping.
  • Uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
  • Customizable to suit your family's taste preferences.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 cup salsa
1 box (8.5 oz) cornbread mix
1/3 cup milk
1 egg

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and salsa. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Transfer the beef mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
5. In a bowl, combine the cornbread mix, milk, and egg. Stir until just combined.
6. Spread the cornbread mixture evenly over the beef mixture.
7. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown.
9. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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