Southwestern Beef and Cornbread Casserole

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or an equivalent ovenproof skillet — I like the skillet for browner edges, dear.

2. 2

   In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if very greasy, leaving a little for flavor.

3. 3

   Reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the beef — sauté until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. 4

   Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the beef and vegetables, cooking 1 minute to bloom the spices.

5. 5

   Mix in the tomato paste (or sauce), Worcestershire (if using), drained black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with chiles. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until mixture is slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.

6. 6

   Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar, then spoon the beef-and-bean mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle a little extra cheese if you like a melty top under the cornbread.

7. 7

   Make the cornbread batter: whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, mix buttermilk, egg, and melted butter. Pour wet into dry and stir until just combined — do not overmix. Fold in the optional corn kernels or jalapeño.

8. 8

   Gently spoon or dollop the cornbread batter over the beef layer, spreading lightly with the back of a spoon to cover as evenly as you can. It’s okay if some beef peeks through — that gives lovely crisp spots.

9. 9

   Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until the cornbread is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too quickly, tent with foil for the last 5–10 minutes.

10. 10

    Let the casserole rest 5–10 minutes before serving — this helps it set so portions hold together. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and an extra handful of cheese if you like, then cut into squares and serve warm.

11. 11

    Leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheat well in the oven or microwave. For a crisper top when reheating, give it a quick blast under the broiler — watch it closely, dear.