Hearty Midwest Cornbread and Sausage Skillet
A comforting one-skillet dish combining savory sausage and sweet cornbread with Midwestern roots, perfect for a cozy meal. This American-inspired comfort-food recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ground pork sausage, yellow onion, corn kernels for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 pork sausage
- 1 small, finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat a 10-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add 1 lb ground pork sausage. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through. Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion and 1 cup corn kernels, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup milk, 1 large egg, and 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
- Step 4: Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the cooked sausage mixture in the skillet. Spread gently to cover.
- Step 5: Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives on top before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Midwest Cornbread and Sausage Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Hearty Midwest Cornbread and Sausage Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground pork sausage from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty Midwest Cornbread and Sausage Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hearty Midwest Cornbread and Sausage Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Hearty Midwest Cornbread and Sausage Skillet?
American comfort food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
