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Cozy Easy Cornbread Taco Bake

cozy easy cornbread taco bake - featured image
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A comforting and easy-to-make taco bake featuring seasoned ground meat, melted cheese, and a tender cornbread crust. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey (lean works best)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz / 28g) or homemade blend
  • 1/2 cup water (120 ml)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 cup cornmeal (120g)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (125g)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2% preferred; dairy-free if needed) (240 ml)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter (60 ml)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (170g)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese (60g)
  • Optional toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, thinly sliced green onions, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh diced tomatoes or avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. When browning starts, add chopped onion and garlic. Cook 5-7 minutes until meat is browned and onions softened.
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning over meat and pour in 1/2 cup water. Stir well and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until liquid reduces slightly. If using black beans, stir them in and cook for another 2 minutes to warm through.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine milk, oil or melted butter, and egg. Pour wet ingredients into dry and whisk until just combined; a few lumps are okay.
  5. Spread taco meat mixture evenly in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over meat. Carefully pour cornbread batter over cheese layer and smooth gently with a spatula.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Edges should be bubbly and slightly crisp.
  7. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese on top and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes until melted and bubbly. Watch to prevent overbrowning.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes to set layers. Garnish with fresh cilantro, green onions, or preferred toppings before serving.

Notes

Do not overmix cornbread batter to keep texture tender. Use moderate heat to brown meat evenly. Let bake rest before serving for easier slicing. Tent with foil if edges brown too quickly. Adjust seasoning to taste. Can double cheese for extra cheesiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: cornbread, taco bake, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef, ground turkey, cheesy, family meal, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/cozy-easy-cornbread-taco-bake-recipe-for-ultimate-comfort-meal/