Cornbread-Topped Chili Casserole
In this healthy casserole recipe—sometimes called tamale pie—the cornbread gets crusty at the edges, thanks to a cast-iron skillet. For the best texture, use yellow cornmeal with a medium grind. Serve with lime wedges for a little extra tang.
Servings
5 servings
Prep Time
25 minutes
Total Time
45 minutes
Ingredients
- 4tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 2cups chopped onion
- 3tablespoons chili powder
- 1pound lean ground pork
- 2cups diced zucchini
- 1/2teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2teaspoon ground pepper, divided
- 2cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen (thawed)
- 114-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2cups stone-ground cornmeal
- 3/4teaspoon baking powder
- 1large egg
- 1cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and chili powder; cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add pork, zucchini and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until the pork is no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Add corn and tomatoes with their juice and cook until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes more. Remove from heat.
- Meanwhile, whisk cornmeal, baking powder and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk egg, buttermilk and the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in another bowl. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the cornmeal mixture until combined. Spread the batter over the pork and vegetables. Transfer the pan to the oven.
- Bake until the cornbread is just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
Tips
To make your own lean option for ground pork, choose a lean cut, such as loin or tenderloin. Cut into pieces and then pulse in a food processor until uniformly ground (being careful not to overprocess, turning the meat into mush). Or ask your butcher to grind it for you.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 5 servings)
| Calories | 491kcal |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrate Total | 55g |
| Total Sugars | 12g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Fiber | 8g |
| Total Fat | 21g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Mono Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 92mg |
| Sodium | 670mg |
| Protein | 28g |
| Potassium | 999mg |
| Calcium | 182mg |
| Chromium | 12mcg |
| Folate | 72mcg |
| Omega-3 | 1g |
| Omega-6 | 4g |
| Vitamin B12 | 1mcg |
| Vitamin E | 7mg |
| Zinc | 3mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 4mg |
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