Corn Bread Topped Black Bean & Beef Chili Casserole (Worth a try.)

Overview
Like all good chili recipes, this is a full meal in a bowl! You will not leave the table hungry after this one!

 

Recipe Source
Meaty found this recipe at bettycrocker.com. http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/corn-bread-topped-black-bean-chili-casserole/a0b0ce6b-cffd-463d-babd-9a526ab478a5 His customized version of this recipe is listed below.

Recipe

1 Pound Lean Ground Beef

½ Cup Onion, Diced

1 Can (15 oz) Black Beans with Cumin and Chili Seasonings, Undrained

1 ½ Cups Frozen Mixed Vegetables

1 ½ Cups Salsa

1 Box (8.5 oz) Jiffy Cornbread Mix, Made According to Package Directions

Cheddar Cheese, optional

Heat oven to 375°F. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in black beans, frozen vegetables and salsa. Heat to boiling; cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. In ungreased 2-quart casserole or 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish, spread beef mixture. Make Jiffy Cornbread Mix according to package directions. Drop batter by small spoonfuls onto chili mixture. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until topping is golden brown.

Complete Protein= Beef  (Meaty version)
Complete Protein= Beans + Cheese (Veggie version)

Tips 
- "Veggify" this recipe by swaping the ground beef for an equivalent amount of "vegetarian beef crumbles" available in your grocer's freezer OR by adding another can of beans (pinto, kidney, red or black), rinsed and drained. If the mixture seems dry upon cooking in skillet, consider adding more salsa or a little water.
- Meaty said his version of the casserole turned out a little dry. He suggests using a fattier ground beef (80/20) or adding more salsa/water to the mixture when cookig in the skillet.

Possible Side- None needed!

Reviews

Veggie- This recipe was pretty good! I am partial to the Black Bean Casserole I made last week, but I have to say I liked the sweetness of the cornbread mixed with the spiciness of the chili casserole. The mom (and vegetarian) in me love that it was full of vegetables. It was a nice change!


Meaty- Meaty loves spicey food and felt this recipe was a little lacking in the spice department. He added additional cumin and chili powder to his recipe to season to his liking. The meaty version of this meal was bit dry. Check out the Tips section above to remedy this.

Baby- Baby (18 months)  LOVED the cornbread on this dish. Veggie Mommy loved that the cornbread cooked into the casserole so everytime Baby grabbed a hunk of cornbread, meat, beans and veggies were attached to it. He just about ate his entire serving, so it's safe to say this recipe is worth a try.
 

Veggie, Meaty, Baby!  wants to hear from you. Please post comments as you try and customize these recipes to fit your family. Let me know how this dish turned out and what your family thought of this dish.