Savory Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pie Recipe: A Comforting Delight

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering cheddar chili cornbread pie that promises to warm your soul and delight your taste buds.

Layers of rich, spicy chili meld perfectly with golden cornbread studded with sharp cheddar cheese.

Each bite delivers a robust explosion of southwestern flavors that dance across your palate.

The hearty dish combines classic ingredients in a surprisingly elegant casserole format.

Weeknight dinners never looked so tempting, with this one-pan wonder that feeds hungry crowds effortlessly.

Melted cheese, savory chili, and tender cornbread create a symphony of textures and tastes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Let’s find out this irresistible recipe and transform an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 47 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 9

Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pie Ingredients

• Extra Lean Ground Beef: Lean protein that creates a hearty, rich foundation for the pie with minimal fat.
• Cannellini Beans: Creamy, soft beans that add protein, texture, and subtle earthiness to the dish.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, pungent undertones and enhances overall savory profile.
• Yellow Onion: Adds sweet and sharp flavor complexity with a soft, mellow texture when cooked.
• Roasted Red or Fresh Bell Pepper: Introduces vibrant color, smoky sweetness, and slight crunch.
• Chili Powder: Warm, complex spice blend that delivers authentic southwestern essence.
• Oregano: Herbaceous, slightly bitter herb that brings Mediterranean-inspired depth.
• Ground Cumin: Earthy, warm spice that provides distinctive southwestern undertone.
• Optional Cayenne Pepper: Introduces fiery heat for those craving extra kick.

• Cornmeal: Provides rustic, grainy texture and authentic corn flavor to the bread topping.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates structural integrity and softness in cornbread layer.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute richness.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create tender cornbread texture.
• Melted Butter: Introduces luxurious flavor and helps achieve golden, crispy crust.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, fluffy cornbread rise.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Delivers bold, tangy flavor and creamy melting quality.

Tools to Make Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pie

• Dutch oven or soup pot: Large, deep cooking vessel for sautéing and simmering ingredients.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry cornbread ingredients.
• Second mixing bowl: Needed for whisking wet cornbread ingredients.
• Lasagna or casserole pan: Deep baking dish for assembling and baking the pie.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending eggs, milk, butter, and sour cream smoothly.
• Spatula: Helpful for spreading cornbread batter evenly over chili.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Sharp knife: For chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Clean surface for chopping vegetables.
• Toothpick: Quick way to check cornbread doneness.

How to Cook Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pie Easily

• Veggie and Spice Sizzle

Start by warming olive oil in a large cooking pot. Toss in chopped onions, peppers, and garlic. Let these ingredients dance and soften while stirring, creating a fragrant base for your dish.

• Beef Transformation

Introduce ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small pieces as it browns. Sprinkle in a blend of zesty spices that will make your taste buds tingle – chili powder, cumin, and a hint of cayenne for excitement.

• Hearty Blend

Pour in tomatoes, beans, and corn. Allow the mixture to simmer and meld together, developing deep, rich flavors that promise a comforting meal.

• Cornbread Canvas

Mix dry ingredients for the cornbread topping in one bowl. In another, whisk together creamy elements that will give your bread a soft, luxurious texture.

• Layering Magic

Spread the spicy beef mixture into a buttered baking dish. Gently crown the chili with dollops of cornbread batter, creating a rustic, appetizing landscape.

• Golden Finale

Slide the dish into a hot oven. Watch as the top transforms into a golden, slightly crispy masterpiece. Once baked, let it rest briefly to set its incredible flavors.

Serve with a dollop of cool sour cream for a perfect comfort food experience.

Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pie: Tips and Ideas

• Try ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner protein option that still packs incredible flavor.
• Dial up heat by adding diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers, or cool it down by reducing cayenne and using mild chili powder.
• Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate before baking for an easy weeknight dinner solution.
• Replace ground beef with black beans, lentils, or additional mixed vegetables to create a hearty meat-free version that's equally delicious.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro, green onions, diced avocado, or a drizzle of sour cream to elevate the dish's visual appeal and add extra layers of texture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pie

• Hearty Dinner Delight: Serve this comforting chili cornbread pie as a complete meal that satisfies hungry families and friends.
• Topping Extravaganza: Enhance each slice with classic garnishes like extra sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or diced avocado for added freshness and texture.
• Sidekick Pairings: Complement the dish with a crisp green salad, tangy coleslaw, or quick pickled vegetables to balance the rich, warm flavors of the chili cornbread pie.
• Leftover Magic: Enjoy cold or gently reheated portions the next day, as the flavors continue to develop and intensify, making it an excellent make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.

How to Store Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pie

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pie in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Wrap individual slices or entire pie in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm individual portions in microwave for 1-2 minutes, or restore crispy texture by placing slices in preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Add fresh cheese sprinkle for extra flavor boost.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare chili base and cornbread mixture separately 1-2 days ahead. Keep components refrigerated in separate containers. Assemble and bake just before serving to maintain optimal texture and taste.

Hearty Cheddar Chili Cornbread Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Hearty cheddar chili cornbread pie combines comfort and spice in one delightful dish. Warm layers of zesty chili nestled beneath a golden cornbread crust will satisfy hungry diners seeking bold southwestern flavors.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs extra lean ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can (14 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• ½ cup diced yellow onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 roasted red or fresh bell pepper, diced
• 1.5 cups corn
• 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup sour cream (plus more for serving)
• 3 tbsps melted butter
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• salt and fresh black pepper

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Foundation: Sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat, seasoning with salt and pepper until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Meat Preparation: Introduce ground beef, crumbling into small pieces while cooking. Once browned, integrate chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper, allowing spices to bloom for 2 minutes.
3. Liquid Integration: Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and corn kernels. Elevate heat to establish a robust simmer, stirring periodically to prevent scorching. Reduce mixture until thickened, approximately 20-25 minutes.
4. Cornbread Composition: Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Incorporate half the cheddar cheese and chopped onions. In a separate vessel, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, and sour cream until homogeneous.
5. Baking Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F. Generously butter a 9×13 inch baking dish. Merge wet and dry cornbread ingredients minimally to maintain a tender consistency.
6. Assembly and Baking: Distribute chili evenly across baking dish’s base. Layer cornbread batter carefully over chili without fully mixing. Garnish with remaining cheddar cheese.
7. Final Cooking: Bake 20-22 minutes until cornbread achieves golden-brown coloration and a clean toothpick test. Allow casserole to rest 7-10 minutes. Serve with a complementary sour cream garnish.

Notes

• Meat Browning Technique: Crumble ground beef into small pieces while cooking to ensure even browning and maximize flavor development.
• Spice Layer Building: Toast spices with meat for 2 minutes to release essential oils and intensify the chili’s depth and complexity.
• Cornbread Mixing Tip: Mix wet and dry ingredients minimally to prevent tough, dense cornbread; gentle folding maintains a light, tender texture.
• Resting Importance: Allow casserole to rest 7-10 minutes after baking to help set the layers and make serving easier without falling apart.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 47 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg