Granny's Country Kitchen Cornbread and Chili Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-04 · Updated 2026-07-04

A wholesome baked casserole combining spicy chili with a golden cornbread topping, inspired by classic country comfort flavors. This American-inspired quick recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs ground beef, yellow onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 470 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cast-iron skillets worth buying → Best Cast Iron Skillets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 lb ground beef with 1 medium diced yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, breaking up meat until browned and onions are translucent, about 7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed kidney beans, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until flavors meld.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1 tbsp granulated sugar. In another bowl, beat 1 cup milk, 1 large egg, and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter.
4. Step 4: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Step 5: Transfer chili mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Pour cornbread batter over chili, then sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
6. Step 6: Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until cornbread is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.