Hearty Mississippi Red Bean and Cornbread Casserole
A rich baked casserole featuring tender red beans simmered with smoky bacon and spices, topped with a savory cornbread crust. This Southern American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 165 minutes, pairs dry red kidney beans, water, bacon strips for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 cup dry red kidney beans
- 4 cups water
- 4, chopped bacon strips
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dry red kidney beans and soak in water overnight or quick soak by boiling in 4 cups water for 2 minutes, then letting stand for 1 hour. Drain.
- Step 2: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 4 chopped bacon strips until crisp, about 6 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving drippings in pot.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 medium diced green bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté in bacon drippings for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften and are fragrant.
- Step 4: Add soaked beans back to pot along with 4 cups water, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beans are tender and liquid thickens.
- Step 5: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar.
- Step 6: In another bowl, beat 2 large eggs with 1 cup milk and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just incorporated.
- Step 7: Stir cooked beans and vegetables into a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Crumble cooked bacon over beans.
- Step 8: Pour cornbread batter evenly over bean mixture. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Step 9: Let rest 5 minutes before serving hearty slices of the casserole.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Mississippi Red Bean and Cornbread Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (30 min prep + 135 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 Mississippi Red Bean and Cornbread Casserole?
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 dry red kidney beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty Mississippi Red Bean and Cornbread Casserole?
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 Mississippi Red Bean and Cornbread Casserole 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 Mississippi Red Bean and Cornbread Casserole?
Southern American vegetarian 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.
