Taste of the Desert: Mexican Cornbread Casserole, Arizona Style Recipe!

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Arizona’s vibrant culinary scene is a fusion of southwestern flavors, where spicy, bold ingredients take center stage. Among the many dishes that celebrate this fusion is the Mexican Cornbread Casserole, a hearty, comforting meal that combines the savory goodness of ground beef with the sweetness of cornbread. Perfect for family gatherings or potlucks, this dish offers a taste of Arizona's unique food culture with every bite.

The Mexican Cornbread Casserole isn’t just any casserole; it's a celebration of flavors found in Arizona's beloved Mexican and southwestern cuisine. Imagine ground beef seasoned with taco spices, blended with corn, and topped with a golden, fluffy cornbread crust. Each forkful brings a perfect balance of savory meat, gooey cheese, and a touch of sweetness from the corn, all wrapped in the soft comfort of cornbread.

This casserole is the perfect blend of tradition and convenience, using simple ingredients that bring out authentic flavors. In Arizona, where local ingredients like corn, chilies, and beef often grace tables, this dish fits right in with its bold spices and rustic appeal.

Recipe: Arizona Style Mexican Cornbread Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 14.75 oz cream style corn
• 8.75 oz canned corn
• 10 oz Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
• 1 oz taco seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 17 oz Jiffy cornbread mix (2 boxes)
• 2 eggs, large
• 2/3 cup milk

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, crumbling it as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain the grease and reduce heat to medium.
3. Without draining, add the cream-style corn, canned corn, and Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies to the pan. Stir everything together thoroughly.
4. Add taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and onion powder to the mix, stirring well to combine. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, thickening the mixture slightly.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded Mexican cheese blend until melted.
6. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread the beef mixture evenly into the dish.
7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Jiffy cornbread mix, eggs, and milk, stirring until smooth.
8. Pour the cornbread batter over the beef mixture in the baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
9. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 17-20 minutes, or until the cornbread begins to brown on top.
10. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top. Bake for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts.

Bringing Arizona to Your Table

This Mexican Cornbread Casserole is more than just a meal—it's a southwestern experience. With flavors inspired by Arizona’s desert landscape and vibrant food traditions, it’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out. Serve it for a family dinner, and you’ll find it’s not only delicious but also a crowd pleaser that captures the essence of southwestern cuisine.

With its creamy cheese, spicy beef, and a perfect layer of golden cornbread, this casserole is a one-dish wonder that will make you feel like you're sitting at a table in the heart of Arizona. It’s easy to make, easy to love, and a perfect addition to any dinner table.

For a flavorful Mexican Cornbread Casserole recipe, you'll find many variations that bring a fusion of savory ingredients like ground beef, taco seasoning, corn, and a golden cornbread topping. This casserole blends Mexican and southwestern elements into a hearty dish that’s perfect for a family dinner or gathering.

The core of the recipe involves cooking ground beef with taco seasoning, tomatoes (like Rotel), and corn, then layering it with a cornbread mixture. The cornbread is typically made using Jiffy cornbread mix, eggs, and milk, creating a soft and fluffy topping. Many recipes also suggest adding shredded Mexican cheese, both in the beef mixture and as a final topping, which melts beautifully during baking​(Back To My Southern Roots)​(Bake It With Love). You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your taste, by adding jalapeños, black beans, or even topping it with fresh ingredients like avocado and sour cream for extra zest​
(THIS IS NOT DIET FOOD)​(Allrecipes).

For more details and ideas on how to customize the dish, check out recipes on Back to My Southern Roots or This Is Not Diet Food​
(Back To My Southern Roots)​(THIS IS NOT DIET FOOD).