Cornbread Chili Casserole – A Hearty Skillet Recipe

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This Cornbread Chili Casserole is a hearty skillet recipe that the whole family will love! A flavorful and easy weeknight dinner anyone can make!

A scoop of Cornbread Chili Casserole on a white plate next to the skillet with the rest of the casserole and a small white bowl with shredded cheddar cheese inside

Cornbread Chili Skillet

If you love chili, you’re going to go crazy for this Cornbread Chili Casserole! Made in a cast iron skillet as opposed to a casserole dish, this rustic homemade chili with cornbread topping is going to become your favorite way to have chili!

This delicious casserole is made with Trader Joe’s or Jiffy mix. If you prefer a different brand or don’t have access to these, look for corn muffin mix or cornbread mix in a box. You want this to be an easy dinner recipe, so while you can make homemade cornbread, it works great with the boxed mixes. 

Jiffy cornbread mix is not gluten-free, but you can easily turn this into a gluten-free dish if you use a gluten-free cornbread mix instead. Look for them in the gluten-free section of your grocery store or on Amazon, but there are a few that I’ve seen out there. If you have a Trader Joe’s near you, they make a gluten-free option. 

This Chili Cornbread Skillet is a fantastic meal on a cold day. One of the best things about it is that you put all of the simple ingredients right into the pan, mix, and bake. As chili recipes go, it doesn’t get much easier and everything you need is in one dish.

While you can eat this savory chili with a spoon or fork, I also like to serve it with tortilla chips as a utensil. If you don’t have them available the first time, try it next time. It will become the kid’s favorite thing and they will likely ask for you to cook it for family dinners – mine do!

Cornbread Chili Casserole on a white plate next to a skillet of the rest of the casserole and a white bowl of shredded cheddar cheese on a brown fabric placemat

Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe

How To Make:

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef, cooked and crumbled
1 package Trader Joe’s cornbread mix 15 oz (or 2 Jiffy 8.5 oz) 
1 onion, diced
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes 28 oz, undrained
1 can whole kernel corn 8 oz, drained
1 can chili beans 15 oz, undrained
1 can navy beans 15 oz, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoon chili powder
Salt (to taste) 

Ingredients for Cornbread Chili Casserole including Trader Joe's Cornbread Mix, a clear bowl of cooked ground beef, cans of beans, cans of diced tomatoes, a can of corn, an onion, and seasonings on a white table

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and take out an oven-safe skillet 10″ or larger. 

In a separate pan on the stove top, brown your lean ground beef over medium heat so that it is cooked through and crumbles apart easily with a wooden spoon. 

In a large bowl, prepare the cornbread mix according to the package directions and set the batter aside. Do not bake it.

Ingredients for Cornbread Chili Casserole in a cast iron skillet with visible navy beans, chili beans, ground beef, tomatoes, onions, corn, and spicesTaking your large skillet, add the meat, onions, and seasonings.

Add the diced tomatoes with juice, chili beans with liquid, navy beans with no liquid (drained and rinsed), and corn (drained). Once everything is added, mix the skillet chili well to distribute everything evenly. 

Batter for cornbread poured over beans, tomatoes and meat in cast iron skilletPour the cornbread batter over the top and spread it evenly over the top of the chili so that you have an even cornbread layer.

Cornbread over chili in a cast iron skillet on a white tablePlace your cast iron skillet in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the cornbread mixture is cooked through.

Cast Iron Cornbread Chili on a plateServe this hearty chili with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, or your favorite chili toppings, and enjoy!

Store any leftovers in the skillet covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

A closeup of Cornbread Chili Casserole on a spoon in front of the rest of the skillet

Can I Use Different Beans Or Meat In This Chili Cornbread Bake?

Yes! Chili is a classic comfort food that is usually a mixture of various beans, meat, and seasonings, so choose your favorites!

You can swap out black beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans, or kidney beans instead of navy or chili beans. And if you prefer to stay away from red meat, swap out the ground beef for lean ground turkey or chicken. It will still be delicious!

A white plate of a scoop of Cornbread Chili Casserole with a metal spoon next to the skillet with the rest of the casserole and a white bowl of shredded cheddar cheese

Are You Looking For More Hearty Dinner Recipes? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

Lodge L10SK3ASHH41B Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet with Red Silicone Hot Handle Holder, 12-InchLodge L10SK3ASHH41B Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet with Red Silicone Hot Handle Holder, 12-InchLodge L10SK3ASHH41B Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet with Red Silicone Hot Handle Holder, 12-InchPre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 2-Piece Set (10-Inch and 12-Inch) Oven Safe Cookware - 2 Heat-Resistant Holders - Indoor and Outdoor Use - Grill, Stovetop, Induction SafePre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 2-Piece Set (10-Inch and 12-Inch) Oven Safe Cookware – 2 Heat-Resistant Holders – Indoor and Outdoor Use – Grill, Stovetop, Induction SafePre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 2-Piece Set (10-Inch and 12-Inch) Oven Safe Cookware - 2 Heat-Resistant Holders - Indoor and Outdoor Use - Grill, Stovetop, Induction SafeHonla Pot Holders and Oven Mitts Gloves with Silicone Printed,2 Hot Pads and 2 Potholders Set,4 Piece Heat Resistant Kitchen Linens Set for Cooking,Baking,Grilling,Barbecue,BlackHonla Pot Holders and Oven Mitts Gloves with Silicone Printed,2 Hot Pads and 2 Potholders Set,4 Piece Heat Resistant Kitchen Linens Set for Cooking,Baking,Grilling,Barbecue,BlackHonla Pot Holders and Oven Mitts Gloves with Silicone Printed,2 Hot Pads and 2 Potholders Set,4 Piece Heat Resistant Kitchen Linens Set for Cooking,Baking,Grilling,Barbecue,BlackMcCormick Gourmet Organic Chili Powder, 1.75 ozMcCormick Gourmet Organic Chili Powder, 1.75 ozMcCormick Gourmet Organic Chili Powder, 1.75 ozMcCormick Gourmet Organic Ground Cumin, 1.5 ozMcCormick Gourmet Organic Ground Cumin, 1.5 ozMcCormick Gourmet Organic Ground Cumin, 1.5 ozSimply Organic Garlic Powder Certified Organic, 3.64-Ounce ContainerSimply Organic Garlic Powder Certified Organic, 3.64-Ounce ContainerSimply Organic Garlic Powder Certified Organic, 3.64-Ounce Container

 

Yield: 6-8 servings

Cornbread Chili Casserole

Cast Iron Cornbread Chili on a plate

This Cornbread Chili Casserole is a hearty skillet recipe that the whole family will love! A flavorful and easy weeknight dinner anyone can make!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 package Trader Joe's cornbread mix 15 oz (or 2 Jiffy 8.5 oz)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes 28 oz, undrained
  • 1 can corn 8 oz
  • 1 can chili beans 15 oz, undrained
  • 1 can navy beans 15 oz, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • Salt (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and take out a cast iron skillet 10" or larger. 
  2. In a separate pan on the stove, brown your ground beef so that it is cooked through and crumbles apart easily. 
  3. Prepare the cornbread mix according to the package directions and set the batter aside. Do not bake it.
  4. Taking your skillet, add the meat, onions and seasonings. Add the diced tomatoes with juice, chili beans with liquid, navy beans with no liquid (drained and rinsed) and corn (drained). Once everything is added, mix well to distribute everything evenly. 
  5. Pour the cornbread batter over the top and spread it evenly over the chili.
  6. Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the cornbread is cooked through.
  7. Serve with cheese and/or sour cream and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 544Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 1119mgCarbohydrates: 69gFiber: 14gSugar: 18gProtein: 28g

This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietitian. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.

Cornbread Chili Skillet being prepared in a cast iron skillet and another picture of a scoop on a white plate next to the rest of the full skillet

Cornbread Chili Casserole on a white plate next to the skillet with the rest of the casserole and a white bowl of shredded cheddar cheese

Looking for some other yummy ground beef recipes? 

4 Comments

    1. Yes, you should be able to. Just make sure that the entire skillet is metal (so that nothing melts) and you may have to bake it a little longer so that the cornbread cooks through. Good luck!

  1. Awesome recipe, I gave up my cast iron due to the weight and arthritis. I would use a casserole dish, would this still work?

    1. I totally understand that! Yes, it should work fine. Just keep an eye on the cornbread to see if it needs a bit more or less time in the oven.

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