Juicy taco-seasoned beef and veggies topped with a fluffy, golden cornbread crust—one skillet, pure Southwest comfort.
📋 Recipe Card
Yield Prep Time Cook Time Total Time
6–8 servings 10 min 40 min ~50 min
Dietary Tags: Kid-Friendly, Make-Ahead Friendly
Ingredients (Checklist-style)
Beef & Veggie Base
▢ 1 ½ lb ground beef
▢ 1 cup diced onion
▢ 3 Tbsp taco seasoning (or 1 store packet)
▢ 1 tsp salt • ½ tsp pepper
▢ 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans – drained
▢ 1 (14.5 oz) can corn – drained
▢ 1 (24 oz) jar thick salsa
▢ 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
▢ 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar + pepper-jack)
Cornbread Topping
▢ 1 (8.5 oz) box Jiffy corn-muffin mix
▢ 1 (14 oz) can creamed corn
▢ 2 Tbsp milk
▢ 1 egg
▢ ¼ cup sour cream
🔪 Quick Instructions
Brown Beef – In an oven-safe skillet over medium-high, cook beef & onion 6–7 min; drain.
Season & Stir – Add taco seasoning, salt, pepper, salsa, corn, beans, chiles. Heat through; turn off burner.
Cheese Layer – Sprinkle cheese evenly over beef mixture.
Mix Cornbread Batter – Combine muffin mix, creamed corn, milk, egg, sour cream.
Top & Bake – Spread batter over cheese. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) 35–40 min, until cornbread is set and golden.
Serve – Rest 5 min; add favorite taco toppings.
📝 Tip: If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer filling to a 9×13 in (23×33 cm) baking dish before topping.
✨ Introduction
This Taco Cornbread Skillet Casserole is the love-child of a sizzling taco night and a cozy cornbread bake. Everything cooks in a single pan—seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and salsa—then it’s crowned with a quick, creamy Jiffy cornbread layer that bakes up fluffy and golden. Pile on avocado, sour cream, or a drizzle of hot sauce and dinner is done!
📸 Step-by-Step Guide
1. Sizzle the Beef
Brown ground beef and onions until no pink remains. Drain excess fat to keep the filling hearty, not greasy.
2. Build Southwest Flavor
Stir in taco seasoning, salsa, beans, corn, green chiles, salt, and pepper. Using a thick salsa keeps the mixture saucy but not soupy.
3. Blanket with Cheese
Scatter shredded cheddar-pepper-jack blend over the hot filling—this “glue” helps the cornbread topping stay put.
4. Whisk the Cornbread
In a bowl, combine Jiffy mix, creamed corn, milk, egg, and sour cream. Batter will be thick and spoonable.
5. Spread & Bake
Dollop batter over the cheese, then gently spread to the edges. Bake until a toothpick in the cornbread comes out clean—about 35 minutes.
6. Garnish & Serve
Let the casserole rest 5 minutes for easier slicing. Top with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sliced olives, or whatever taco fixings you love.
🧂 Ingredient Details & Substitutions
Ingredient Swap Ideas Notes
Ground beef Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles Drain well for best texture
Black beans Pinto or kidney beans Same drain-and-rinse step
Thick salsa Fire-roasted tomatoes + extra seasoning Avoid watery salsa
Cheese mix All cheddar or Monterey Jack Pepper-jack adds spice
Jiffy mix Your favorite cornbread mix Adjust liquid per package
🍰 Variations & Serving Ideas
Spicy Verde: Replace salsa with salsa verde, add jalapeño slices on top.
Loaded Veggie: Fold in diced zucchini or bell peppers with the beans and corn.
Breakfast Style: Use chorizo instead of beef and top finished casserole with fried eggs.
Pair With: A simple side salad, chips & guac, or elote-style corn.
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead
Method Duration Reheat
Fridge 4 days 350 °F oven 15 min or microwave
Freezer 2 months (baked) Thaw overnight; warm 20 min at 350 °F
Make Ahead: Cook beef filling a day early; refrigerate. Top with fresh cornbread batter and bake when ready to serve.
🔍 Nutrition Snapshot (Per Serving – Approx.)
Calories 448 | Protein 30 g | Carbs 47 g | Fat 23 g
Allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Egg
Diet Tags: Kid-Friendly, High-Protein
(Original recipe’s carb figure adjusted to reflect cornbread topping.)
❓ FAQs
Can I use homemade cornbread batter?
Absolutely—use about 2½ cups of your favorite batter and bake until set.
My cornbread browns too fast—what now?
Tent loosely with foil for the final 10 minutes to prevent over-browning while the center finishes baking.
Is this spicy?
Mild unless you choose a hot salsa, pepper-jack, or add jalapeños.
💬 Personal Note
This skillet casserole was my solution for “taco Tuesday burnout.” The cheesy layer melds everything together, and that sweet-savory cornbread crust feels downright celebratory—plus leftovers heat up like a dream.
📣 Call to Action
Whip up this Taco Cornbread Skillet? Snap a pic and tag me—bonus points for creative toppings! Drop a comment with your twists (chipotle salsa? extra beans?) so we can keep taco night fresh. 🌮🧡