Springfield-Inspired Cornbread and Jalapeño Chili Bake
A hearty chili baked under a golden cornbread crust with diced jalapeños for a regional kick inspired by Springfield’s vibrant community. This american-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves 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 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2, diced, seeds removed for less heat jalapeño peppers
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 4 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 lb ground beef with 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans (drained and rinsed), 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 diced jalapeños (seeds removed). Simmer for 10 minutes until flavors meld and sauce thickens.
- Step 3: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 cup milk, 1 large egg, and 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the chili mixture into a 9x9-inch baking dish. Carefully spoon the cornbread batter evenly over the chili.
- Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Springfield-Inspired Cornbread and Jalapeño Chili Bake take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Springfield-Inspired Cornbread and Jalapeño Chili Bake?
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 beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Springfield-Inspired Cornbread and Jalapeño Chili Bake?
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 Springfield-Inspired Cornbread and Jalapeño Chili Bake 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 Springfield-Inspired Cornbread and Jalapeño Chili Bake?
American beef 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.
