BBQ Cornbread Casserole
A cozy, flavor-packed dish perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or game day, featuring tender ground beef (or plant-based crumbles!) smothered in smoky BBQ sauce, layered with beans and cheese, then topped with fluffy, golden cornbread.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or plant-based ground
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce divided use
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 box cornbread mix plus ingredients listed on the box
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If using a skillet, place it over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and the veggies soften, about 8–10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the black beans, corn, 1 cup of BBQ sauce, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Remove the skillet from heat (or transfer the mixture to a baking dish if needed). Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top, then drizzle the remaining 1⁄2 cup BBQ sauce over the cheese.
- In a bowl, prepare the cornbread batter as directed on the package. Pour the batter over the filling, spreading it gently to cover the surface completely.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the casserole cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.