Looking for the perfect cold-weather comfort food? This Chili Cornbread Bake combines slow-simmered homemade chili with a soft, buttery cornbread topping for a warm, satisfying meal. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and the coziest dinner for winter nights. It’s the ultimate comfort casserole perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd. Enjoy!

Chili Cornbread Casserole Bake
Britt Williams

Chili Cornbread Bake

This Chili Cornbread Bake combines hearty homemade beef chili with a soft, buttery cornbread baked right on top. Simple ingredients, big flavor. A warm and cozy family-friendly dinner for winter nights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner
Ingredients Equipment Method Video

Ingredients
  

Chili
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 1 large red bell pepper chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 pound ground beef Can use ground turkey instead!
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder plus more to taste
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar optional
Honey Cornbread
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup medium-grind yellow cornmeal
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • ¼ cup frozen sweet corn
For serving
  • Sour cream for serving (optional)
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or green onion for serving (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 3-quart casserole dish
  • 1 large pot

Method
 

  1. Make the chili: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Inn a large pot over medium heat the oil for 30 seconds. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the garlic. Cook, stirring often, for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
  3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the beef, breaking it up so it’s evenly covering the bottom of the pot. Let cook, undisturbed until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir the mixture, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through.
  4. Stir the chili powder, cumin, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and paprika into the beef mixture. Cook, stirring often for a few seconds until the spices are evenly distributed.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beans, and broth. Bring to a gentle boil over high heat, and let boil for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thick and spoonable, about 30 minutes.
  6. While the chili cooks, make the cornbread batter: Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the egg and milk to the well, and whisk them together. Stir the honey into the egg mixture in the well. Add the melted butter, and stir everything together in the bowl just until combined. Fold in the frozen corn. Set aside until ready to use.
  7. Remove the chili from heat. Stir in the red wine vinegar, if using. Taste and add more chili powder and salt, if desired.
  8. Spoon the chili into a 3-quart baking dish and spread evenly. Spoon the cornbread batter over the top evenly, and gently spread it into a layer.
  9. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the cornbread is golden. Remove from the oven, and let cool for 10 minutes. Scoop the casserole into 6 bowls. Top with sour cream and cilantro or green onion, if desired.

Video

@itsbrittwilliams

😋 Such a cozy dinner! Honey cornbread baked on top of slow-simmered chili. One of my dinner rotations during the winter. Full recipe is up on my website in bio or on Tasty - hope you enjoy! #dinnerideas #chili #cornbread #dinnerrecipes

♬ Nice and Easy - Louis Adrien

Want more cozy dinners? You might enjoy my Garlic and Herb Whole Roasted Cauliflower