Cheesy Mexican Cornbread Casserole (Printer-Friendly)

Comfort food with cornbread, cheese, beans, and Mexican spices baked to golden perfection.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Canned Goods

01 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
03 - 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies

→ Dairy

04 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
05 - ⅓ cup milk

→ Baking Mix

06 - 1 packet (8.5 oz) cornbread mix

→ Produce & Spices

07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - ½ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
12 - Fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish (to taste, optional)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, mix black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and half of the shredded cheese until evenly blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, prepare the cornbread mix by adding milk, egg, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper; stir until just combined.
04 - Spread the bean and corn mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish, then carefully pour and spread the cornbread batter over it.
05 - Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top of the cornbread batter.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the cornbread is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Remove from oven, let cool briefly, then garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions if desired before serving.

# Additional Suggestions:

01 - Optional additions include cooked ground beef or turkey for extra protein; spices can be adjusted to preference, adding jalapeños for more heat. Store refrigerated up to 3 days and reheat before serving.