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Chili Casserole Recipe

Chili Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 12 reviews

This hearty and flavorful Chili Casserole combines a savory chili made with ground beef, beans, and spices layered over a moist cornbread crust, topped with melted cheddar cheese and crunchy corn chips. Perfect as a comforting family meal, this casserole is easy to prepare and bake, delivering a delightful blend of textures and warming spices in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chili

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 cup chopped white onion (1 medium-large onion)
  • 16 oz chili beans
  • 30 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tbsp beef bouillon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cornbread Layer

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar (or honey)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 oz can chopped green chiles

Toppings and Garnish

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 oz corn chips (more or less as desired)
  • Sour cream, for serving
  • Sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep oven and baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Spray a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray or lightly grease with oil or butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare chili: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onions are lightly caramelized. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the tomato sauce, chili beans, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and beef bouillon. Reduce heat to low and let the chili simmer while you prepare the cornbread layer.
  3. Prepare cornbread layer: In a bowl, combine cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, eggs, and chopped green chiles. Stir the mixture until well combined to create the cornbread batter. Spread the batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
  4. Layer chili, cheese, and corn chips: Spoon the prepared chili evenly over the cornbread batter layer. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chili layer. Finally, crumble corn chips on top of the cheese layer to add a crunchy texture.
  5. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. If the corn chips begin to brown too quickly, cover the casserole loosely with foil to prevent burning.
  6. Garnish and serve: When the chili is bubbling and the cheese has fully melted, remove the casserole from the oven. Serve warm, topping each portion with sour cream and sliced green onions if desired. Makes 9 servings.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce the fat content.
  • If you prefer, substitute chili beans with black beans or pinto beans.
  • The cornbread batter can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.
  • For extra spice, add diced jalapeños to the chili or sprinkle some cayenne pepper.
  • To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure the baking powder is gluten-free.
  • Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili casserole, cornbread casserole, baked chili recipe, ground beef casserole, comfort food, family dinner

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/chili-casserole-recipe/