Smoked Sausage and Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Casserole

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty casserole layering smoky sausage, spicy jalapeños, sharp cheddar, and moist cornbread batter, perfect for a flavorful BBQ side or main. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 55 minutes pairs medium, seeded and diced jalapeños, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cornmeal 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x9-inch baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil.
  2. Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook 1 lb sliced smoked sausage for 5 minutes until browned and fragrant. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar.
  4. Step 4: In another bowl, whisk 1 cup whole milk, 2 large eggs, and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
  5. Step 5: Fold in the cooked sausage, 2 diced jalapeños, and 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese gently.
  6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Step 7: Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoked Sausage and Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Casserole take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Smoked Sausage and Jalapeño Cheddar 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 shredded sharp cheddar cheese from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Sausage and Jalapeño Cheddar 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 Smoked Sausage and Jalapeño Cheddar 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 Smoked Sausage and Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Casserole?

American bbq & smoked 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.

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