Cajun Cornbread Casserole Recipe (2024)

Recipe from "Everyday Happy Herbivore"

Adapted by Tara Parker-Pope

Cajun Cornbread Casserole Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Rating
4(113)
Notes
Read community notes

The vegan chef Lindsay S. Nixon is giving Well readers a sneak peek at her new cookbook, “Everyday Happy Herbivore: Over 175 Quick-and-Easy Fat-Free and Low-Fat Vegan Recipes." This delicious and spicy cornbread-topped casserole is a complete meal, with grains, beans and vegetables all in one dish. Serve with hot sauce on the table. —Tara Parker-Pope

Featured in: Fast and Easy Vegan Dishes

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 115-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1small onion, diced
  • 2celery stalks, minced
  • 3garlic cloves, minced
  • 1bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 2tablespoons Cajun seasoning (commercial blend, or make your own)
  • 115-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1cup cornmeal
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 to 2tablespoons raw sugar (optional)
  • ¾cup nondairy milk
  • ¼cup unsweetened applesauce

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

329 calories; 3 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 65 grams carbohydrates; 10 grams dietary fiber; 12 grams sugars; 11 grams protein; 557 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Cajun Cornbread Casserole Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan or casserole dish.

  2. Step

    2

    Drain tomato juices into a skillet, and chop tomatoes into smaller pieces. Set chopped tomatoes aside to use in Step 5.

  3. Step

    3

    Add water as necessary until a thin layer of liquid covers the skillet.

  4. Step

    4

    Sauté onion, celery, garlic and bell pepper over high heat until onion is translucent, bell pepper slices are tender and all of the water has evaporated, about 4 minutes.

  5. Step

    5

    Turn off heat, and mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of Cajun Seasoning, chopped tomatoes and kidney beans, stirring to combine. Set aside.

  6. Step

    6

    In a small mixing bowl, whisk cornmeal, baking powder, salt and, if desired, additional Cajun Seasoning (several dashes, so the mix looks speckled when stirred). You can also add 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar if you like a sweet cornbread topping. Then stir in nondairy milk and applesauce. It should be thick but spreadable, like hummus, and not dry.

  7. Step

    7

    Pour bean mixture into your baking dish, and pat down firmly with a spatula. Spread cornbread mixture on top, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cornbread is a deep golden, cracked and firm to the touch. Allow to set out for 15 minutes before serving.

Ratings

4

out of 5

113

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Sue

What is nondairy milk?

Deni

Almond, soy, or other milk alternative.

osmanthuslover

Scrumptious! Would use one tablespoon of store-bought cajun seasoning in part 5; otherwise, it winds up tasting too salty....

hannah

This was delicious! I’m fairly new to plant based cooking and wanted to make something for breakfast to share with my family on thanksgiving day. I loved that I could prep it the night before. We liked the crunchy cornmeal topping-it was a nice surprise, though we were expecting something fluffier. We added lime, guacamole and cilantro on top to take it in a more southwestern direction. Would recommend!

hannah

This was delicious! I’m fairly new to plant based cooking and wanted to make something for breakfast to share with my family on thanksgiving day. I loved that I could prep it the night before. We liked the crunchy cornmeal topping-it was a nice surprise, though we were expecting something fluffier. We added lime, guacamole and cilantro on top to take it in a more southwestern direction. Would recommend!

P. J.

I made this for a main dish. Didn't think there were enough beans so doubled them. Next time I make it I would add a sauce of some sort to help it hold together some. Maybe just some broth with cornstarch. Also, I'd use the full two tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and serve it with hot sauce (as specified...I should have). The cornbread was surprisingly good, with sugar and a bit of extra flour; I found the batter runnier than the hummus texture the recipe author refers to but spreading=easy.

Shwillary

I'm not vegan so I added a tin of salmon with the bean base, and used whole milk with sour cream instead of applesauce. I also added a few chopped scallions to the cornbread topping (which I found lacking taste-wise but that's my bad, I should have tasted for salt and adjusted).Overall an easy and adaptable weeknight meal happily using pantry staples.

Karen

This recipe is easy but just so so. Halved the seasoning, which was a good call. But otherwise dry and uninspiring. Sorry.

ESylvester

I love this recipe. It’s easy and filling. True about the salt but that all depends on the brand. I added frozen corn. And also sautéed the veggies in oil in an oven-proof skillet so it could go right into the oven. Topped with sour cream, cheddar (I know, not vegan), scallions, and hot sauce. Made it three times now!

Procrastinista_423

Easy and good. Next time I will lay off the cajun seasoning though. I used some in the corn bread and 2 TBSP in the beans/tomatoes and it's a bit too spicy for me.

Liz H

Halve amount of Cajun seasoning or casserole will be too spicy. Serve with sour cream.

Liz

Nice colors, flavors and textures (dice). Swapped in soldier beans--delicious. Used yellow and poblano pepper--pretty. Salt, pepper, and hot pepper flakes, plus my own homemade cajun blend. For next time: just make regular cornbread batter for the topping. Had to add more cornmeal and a bit of flour to get the right texture (hummus) and also I disliked the fruitiness of the applesauce. A good experiment for the vegan-curious, but I'm going back to my butter and eggs.

LadyMichael

This wasn’t very good at all. 2 Tbsp of Cajun Seasoning made the dish inedible due to salt content and the cornbread had zero flavor. Had to throw the whole dish away.

jamie

Quite good. Easy, fast. 2 Tb of sugar was perfect.

HK

Sure, I'll use canned beans and canned tomatoes but Cajun Seasoning? Fine. I'll go buy it. While I'm there I'll just go ahead and buy some cornbread too.

michelle

Add a second can of beans.. maybe also a small can of corn kernels or fresh.

Sue

What is nondairy milk?

Deni

Almond, soy, or other milk alternative.

Phyllis O

Almond or soy juice (not really milk)

Lindsay

I know I'm a year late, Sue, but nondairy milk can be almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, etc. What kind you get will affect how much sugar, fat, protein, and nutrients are in it.

Ellen

This recipe is really great! Love the cajun flavors. And for an easier meal, just make the filling and serve over rice.

osmanthuslover

Scrumptious! Would use one tablespoon of store-bought cajun seasoning in part 5; otherwise, it winds up tasting too salty....

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Cajun Cornbread Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between corn casserole and cornbread? ›

Corn casserole is a dish that mixes cornbread with whole kernel corn, sour cream, butter, and cheese, along with some creamed corn to form a new dish that has cornbread as its base.

How do you know when corn casserole is done? ›

Pour the corn mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, or until golden brown and the casserole has a slight jiggle when shaken.

Can you reheat corn casserole? ›

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to reheat, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover Corn Casserole with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes or until heated through.

Why is corn bread crunchy? ›

This cornbread bakes up best in a well-seasoned 12-inch cast-iron skillet, though you can divide the batter between two smaller skillets or even cake pans. A scattering of dry coarse cornmeal in the hot skillet before you pour in the batter makes the cornbread extra crunchy.

Can I substitute frozen corn for canned corn in corn casserole? ›

You can substitute 1 ½ cups defrosted frozen corn for the canned corn. You can double the recipe, just bake in a 9″x13″ baking pan. Add ins are limitless! You can add shredded cheese, a can of green chiles or jalapenos to taste.

Why is my corn casserole mushy? ›

My corn pudding casserole is mushy; what did I do wrong? If the corn pudding is mushy, it's likely because there was too much liquid! Make sure you drain the whole kernel corn before adding it to the mixture. If you're using frozen corn, allow it to thaw before using it to reduce the moisture.

What goes good with corn casserole? ›

What goes well with it? Creamed corn casserole is a wonderful addition to holiday dinners alongside a roasted turkey or classic roasted chicken. Other classic sides that complement this casserole are my recipe for green bean casserole and mashed sweet potatoes recipe.

Does canned corn need to be cooked? ›

Canned corn is fully cooked, so it is safe to eat without further cooking. Canned vegetables are great to keep on hand. Look for “low sodium” or “no salt added” on the label, or rinse canned vegetables to reduce their sodium (salt) content.

Can I leave cornbread casserole out overnight? ›

The simple answer is no. I don't recommend leaving your corn casserole out overnight. Room temperature is the stage where bacterial growth can occur, leading to food poisoning. To ensure the safety and quality of your corn casserole, proper storage is key.

Can I make cornbread the day before? ›

Make-Ahead: You can make this recipe up to 1 day ahead of time before serving. How to Heat: If you like your cornbread warm you can place your desired amount wrapped in foil and baked at 325° for 3-5 minutes. You can also warm in the microwave. How to Store: Cover and keep at room temperature for 4 days.

Can you freeze leftover corn casserole? ›

Yes, you can freeze corn casserole for up to three months. Wrap the casserole in a layer of storage wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven or microwave.

How long can corn casserole sit out at room temperature? ›

TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal. Just ONE bacterium, doubling every 20 minutes, can grow to over 2,097,152 bacteria in 7 hours!

What is the best cornmeal for cornbread? ›

As for the best cornmeal for cornbread, either fine- or medium-grind cornmeal is a great choice. Medium-grind cornmeal will bring slightly more texture and grittiness to the batter, which you may or may not want (it's up to you!). You can use fine or medium cornmeal in these extra corny muffins.

Why does my corn muffin taste bitter? ›

That slightly bitter, kinda “tinny” flavor you often experience when biting into a muffin, biscuit or scone is the result of using a baking powder in high quantities — as is needed for these quick-rise treats — with aluminum in it.

What do you grease a pan with for cornbread? ›

To achieve the crispiest golden crust on your cornbread, Delk Adams instructs you to grease the skillet liberally with bacon grease (if you don't have that, shortening, butter, or oil will do), then pop it into the hot oven for 5 minutes before pouring the batter in.

What's the difference between cornbread pudding and cornbread casserole? ›

Corn pudding has a similar gelatinous texture to dessert pudding, hence its name, so it's creamy and loose. In comparison, corn casserole has a thicker consistency and holds its shape better than the pudding because it uses thickening agents like instant cornbread mix.

What's the difference between cornbread pudding and casserole? ›

The main difference between the two is texture. Corn pudding has a gelatinous consistency similar to dessert pudding; the casserole is thicker and can hold its shape. Despite the textural difference between corn casserole and pudding, the ingredients are similar.

What is the difference between cornbread and corn pudding? ›

Cornbread is a classic semi-sweet Southern quick bread made with yellow cornmeal. Cornbread pudding is made with whole corn, creamed corn, and cornbread mix to create a softer, more souffle-like cake with more moisture content than cornbread.

What's the difference between southern cornbread and regular cornbread? ›

Northern cornbreads tend to be more cake-like, on the sweet side, with a finer crumb due to more flour in the mixture. Southern cornbread is flavored with bacon grease, and cooked in a cast iron skillet, a perfect side for barbecues, or chili. It also tends to be rather crumbly.

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