Everything starts in a single pan. Onions cook down first, softening and building a rich base before ground beef is added and browned. As it cooks, All Shook Up brings smoke, subtle sweetness, and a touch of heat, while Sergio’s Seasoning rounds everything out with a balanced, savory backbone.
Once the chili comes together, the rest builds quickly. Beans, tomatoes, and a splash of broth simmer into a thick, hearty filling, layered with flavor but still simple to pull off. It’s the kind of dish that feels familiar, but a little more developed.
Before baking, the chili is topped with a layer of melted cheese, then finished with a cornbread batter that bakes into a golden, slightly crisp crust. The result is a dish that’s rich underneath, soft and fluffy on top, and balanced all the way through.
Ingredients
For the Chili Cornbread Bake
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Sergio’s Seasoning
- 1 tbsp All Shook Up Seasoning
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or blend)
- Olive oil
For the Cornbread Topping
- 1 cup cornbread mix
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup milk
Directions
- Cook the base: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Brown the beef: Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Season the meat: Stir in Sergio’s Seasoning and All Shook Up, mixing until evenly coated.
- Build the chili: Add diced tomatoes, black beans, and beef broth. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer and thicken: Let the mixture cook for 8–10 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Add cheese layer: Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the chili.
- Top with cornbread: In a bowl, mix cornbread batter ingredients, then pour evenly over the top.
- Bake: Transfer to a 400°F oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, until the cornbread is golden and cooked through.
- Finish and serve: Let cool slightly before serving, allowing the layers to set.
Serving Tips
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Use an oven-safe pan: Makes the transition from stovetop to oven seamless.
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Don’t overmix the cornbread: Keeps the topping light and fluffy.
- Let it rest briefly: Helps the chili set under the cornbread crust.
Why the Seasoning Matters
Sergio’s Seasoning creates the savory foundation, enhancing the richness of the beef and tying the chili together.
All Shook Up adds smoky depth, a touch of sweetness, and subtle heat, giving the dish a more layered, well-rounded flavor.
Together, they elevate a simple chili into something that feels more complete, especially when paired with the slightly sweet cornbread topping.
A Comfort Classic, Reworked
At its core, this dish takes everything you want from chili and cornbread and brings it together in one pan.
The rich, savory chili contrasts with the soft, golden crust on top, creating a balance of texture and flavor in every bite.
Warm, hearty, and easy to make, it’s a simple recipe that delivers a little more than expected.
