The Ultimate Jiffy Cornbread Casserole (Ready in 30 Minutes)

This Jiffy Cornbread Casserole features the hearty flavors of ground beef and onions, the tangy taste of tomato paste, and the comforting texture of cornbread and cheese for a satisfying weeknight meal. What’s best is that it can be ready in just 30 minutes!

Jiffy cornbread casserole is a savory dish that is essentially a rich, meaty mixture topped with a layer of cornbread and cheese. It’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners since you only need common pantry staples to make a dish that’s packed with flavor. 

When I stumbled onto this Jiffy cornbread casserole dish recipe from my grandma’s recipe box, the first thing that struck me was that she had handwritten on the card when she had served this to the family. I just love it. Because of that, I knew it would be a great recipe because it had been made multiple times.

Why I Love This Recipe

Delicious: This isn’t just any casserole; it’s a cornbread casserole. If you’re a cornbread lover like me, you’ll appreciate the delicious twist this recipe brings to the dinner table. And so, give me all the cornbread casserole recipe ideas, and I will love them all.

Quick: Time is of the essence, especially on busy weeknights. This recipe is a lifesaver, as it can be made from start to finish in just about thirty minutes. Now, that’s a quick meal fix!

Versatile: This all-in-one casserole can be paired with a variety of side dishes. Whether you choose peas, green beans, or even a simple salad, this casserole complements them all.

Perfect for Holidays: This easy side dish recipe goes great with some Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas Ham. It has quickly become a holiday staple, like a classic green bean casserole!

Key Ingredients

Ground beef: This forms the hearty, protein-packed layer of the casserole. It is browned to perfection and adds a rich, savory flavor to the dish.

Diced onion: It gives the recipe a touch of aromatic flavor. They blend well with the ground beef to create a tasty mixture.

Tomato paste: This ingredient thickens the ground beef mixture and provides a tangy, sweet, and slightly fruity flavor.

Water: Used to dilute the tomato paste and make it easier to mix into the ground beef.

Salt and pepper: These classic seasonings enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.

Jiffy cornbread mix: This is the star ingredient that gives the casserole its unique, fluffy texture and sweet corn flavor.  And yes, you can make your own homemade cornbread mix instead.

Egg: The eggs in this recipe help bind the cornbread mix, giving it a firm and moist texture.

Milk: This adds a creamy texture to the cornbread layer and helps to moisten the Jiffy mix.

Corn: Drained corn adds a sweet crunch to the recipe, complimenting the soft texture of the cornbread.

Cheddar cheese: This is generously sprinkled on top, melting into a deliciously gooey layer. It adds a sharp and tangy flavor to the casserole.

Equipment

Large Pan – A good-sized pan is necessary for browning the ground beef and onion, as well as simmering your tomato paste mixture. 

Mixing Bowl – This will be used to combine the Jiffy cornbread mix, egg, milk, and corn. Look for a large mixing bowl to accommodate all your ingredients.

8×8 Baking Dish – This is where you will layer your meat mixture, cheddar cheese, and cornbread batter. Make sure to grease it well to prevent sticking.

Cheese Grater – If your cheddar cheese isn’t already shredded, you’ll need a grater. Freshly grated cheese often melts better and adds more flavor to your dish.

How to Make Jiffy Cornbread Casserole

Preparations 

Start by preheating your oven to 400˚F. Next, brown your ground beef and onion until they’re fully cooked, then drain the fat. 

Step 1 – Season and Simmer the Beef Mixture

After the beef and onions are cooked, you’re going to add some flavor to the mix. Add tomato paste, water, salt, and pepper to your ground beef and onion mixture. Let it simmer for about two to three minutes, allowing the flavors to fully meld together.

Step 2 – Mix the Cornbread Batter

Next, grab a large mixing bowl and combine your cornbread mix, egg, milk, and corn. Stir it well until you have a smooth and consistent batter.

Step 3 – Layer Your Casserole

Now, it’s time to assemble your casserole. Grease an 8 x 8-inch baking dish and pour in your ground beef mixture. Sprinkle a generous amount of cheddar cheese over the beef. Then, cover the entire thing with your freshly made cornbread batter.

Step 4 – Bake the Casserole

Place your assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about fifteen to twenty minutes. You’ll know it is done when the cornbread is fully cooked and has a golden-brown hue. 

Your delicious Jiffy Cornbread Casserole is ready to serve! This makes a fantastic main dish or side dish for any holiday meal, especially Thanksgiving, and pairs perfectly with both chicken and turkey.

Expert Tips

Always Preheat the Oven: Preheating your oven to the right temperature before baking is essential. This guarantees that your jiffy cornbread casserole bakes evenly and achieves the perfect texture.

Don’t Skimp on the Cheese: The cheddar cheese adds a deliciously creamy and rich dimension to your casserole. Don’t be shy; generously sprinkle the cheese over your ground beef mixture before adding the cornbread batter.

Check for Doneness: The bake time can vary depending on your oven. To make sure that your cornbread is fully cooked, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your casserole is ready. It should also have a beautiful golden-brown color on top.

Let it Rest: After taking your casserole out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes cutting and serving easier.

Recipe Variations

Go Mexican: For a Mexican twist, add half a can of drained black beans, a can of green chilies, and a teaspoon of taco seasoning, and replace the cheddar cheese with pepper jack cheese. This will give your casserole a delightful Mexican flavor, perfect for a themed dinner night.

Try it with chicken: For a poultry twist, replace the ground beef with shredded chicken. You can season the chicken with your favorite spices for added flavor. This variation is a great way to use up leftover turkey or chicken from your holiday meals.

Go meatless: If you want a vegetarian option, simply omit the ground beef mixture and add more veggies like green onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños. You can also add a can of black beans for additional protein.

Try some corn: For a delicious jiffy corn casserole recipe, add some corn kernels to this casserole dish before baking. It’ll add a delicious, sweet element to this incredible meal!

What to Serve With

• This Jiffy cornbread casserole also makes a perfect side dish for your holiday meal. Whether it is turkey or roast chicken, the rich and cheesy casserole compliments the meat’s flavor beautifully.
• For a lighter meal option, serve your Jiffy cornbread casserole with a side of kale salad. The freshness of the salad balances out the hearty casserole, making for a satisfying, well-rounded meal.
• For a cozy dinner, pair your Jiffy cornbread casserole with a bowl of warm soup. The casserole’s creamed corn and cheddar cheese flavors blend perfectly with a tomato or chicken soup.
• Want a Mexican twist? Layer your casserole slice with some salsa, black beans, and a sprinkle of green onions. The vibrant flavors will make your meal exciting and delicious.

Recipe FAQs

Storing and Reheating

Refrigerate: After enjoying your hearty meal, you may have some leftover Jiffy cornbread casserole. To store it, simply place the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. The casserole will store well in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheat Instructions: When you’re ready for another serving, preheat your oven to around the same temperature you baked the casserole at. Place the leftovers in a baking dish or pan and reheat for about ten minutes or until the casserole is warmed through. 

Freeze: Unfortunately, this dish doesn’t freeze well due to the texture of the cornbread after thawing. The cheese in the recipe may separate or become grainy, affecting the overall flavor and texture of your dish.

Serving Size

What to Expect: This recipe makes one 8 x 8-inch jiffy cornbread casserole using one pound of ground beef, which is enough for six servings. 

How to Scale: If you want to make more than one casserole, you can double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Make sure to use two 8 x 8 pans to bake the casseroles evenly.