Chilli cornbread pie is the ultimate comfort food bake - rich, spiced chilli topped with a golden, fluffy cornbread crust and baked until bubbling and irresistible. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a hungry family with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for a cosy night in or prepping meals ahead, this one-dish wonder delivers big flavour with simple ingredients.
The original recipe appeared on the cover of the March 2019 Olive magazine...I didn't make it at the time, but after flicking through some magazines I'd kept a hold of, I decided to give it a go! We love chilli con carne and cornbread, so making a pie with the 2 seemed like a very good idea.
It's a perfect meal to enjoy any day of the week. The comforting beef chilli is made into a pie with a yummy cheesy chilli cornbread topping. Serve with extra jalapeños and a dollop of sour cream on the side...it's full of flavour and delicious - you'll want more!!
Tip
- Optional protein variations:
- Use turkey mince for a lighter, but still hearty, version.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the beef mince with mixed beans, lentils and sweetcorn, and use vegetable stock.
- Add chorizo or spicy sausages for a smoky sausage chilli.
- This chilli cornbread pie recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less people - just use a smaller casserole or transfer the chilli mixture into a small ovenproof dish before topping it with the cornbread mixture and baking it in the oven.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It’s a baked dish where a hearty chilli forms the base and a cornbread batter is spooned on top before baking, creating a soft interior and golden crust.
Yes - prepare the chilli in advance, refrigerate, then add the cornbread topping just before baking.
Yes - freeze once baked and cooled, for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight and reheat until piping hot.
Make sure the chilli is thick, not watery, and spoon the cornbread batter gently over the top rather than mixing.
Yes - use gluten-free polenta and gluten-free flour in the cornbread topping.
Enjoy it topped with some sour cream, Greek yogurt or crème fraiche, and either sliced avocado or guacamole on the side.
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How to make this Chilli Cornbread Pie
Ingredients
- 500g beef mince
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large onion (approx. 180g), chopped
- 1 green pepper, deseeded and diced
- 1 red pepper, deseeded and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp medium or hot chilli powder
- 1 tsp celery salt (optional)
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 300ml chicken stock
- 2 tsp brown sugar (any kind)
- 3 tbsp of chopped jalapeños (fresh or pickled), plus extra to serve
- a small bunch of coriander (approx. 10g), finely chopped
- sour cream, to serve
For the cornbread topping:
- 100g instant polenta
- 200g plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 250ml whole milk
- 100ml natural yogurt
- 50g butter, melted
- 175g red leicester or mature cheddar, grated
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large shallow casserole on a high heat. Crumble in the mince and season. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned all over and crisp at the edges.
- Add the onion, peppers and garlic, stir and cover, then cook on a low medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the oregano and spices, and cook for 2 minutes, then stir in the tomato purée, tomatoes, chicken stock and sugar. Bring to a boil then turn down and simmer for 20 minutes until thickened but still saucy. Heat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Add half the jalapeños and coriander, and simmer for 5 minutes. Check the seasoning, adding more if needed.
- Make the cornbread – in a bowl, beat together the polenta, flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, yogurt and melted butter. Stir in the cheese, the rest of the jalapeños and coriander, and season. Spoon on top of the chilli. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until risen and golden. Leave for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with extra jalapeños and sour cream.
Serving Suggestions
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Chilli Cornbread Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 500 g (1.1 lb) beef mince
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large onion (approx. 180g) chopped
- 1 green pepper deseeded and diced
- 1 red pepper deseeded and diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp medium or hot chilli powder
- 1 tsp celery salt (optional)
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 400 g (14.1 oz) tin chopped tomatoes
- 300 ml (1 ⅓ cups) chicken stock
- 2 tsp brown sugar (any kind)
- 3 tbsp of chopped jalapeños (fresh or pickled), plus extra to serve
- a small bunch of coriander (approx. 10g) finely chopped
- sour cream to serve
For the cornbread topping:
- 100 g (3.5 oz) instant polenta
- 200 g (7.1 oz) plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 250 ml (1 cup) whole milk
- 100 ml (½ cup) natural yogurt
- 50 g (1.8 oz) butter melted
- 175 g (6.2 oz) red leicester or mature cheddar grated
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large shallow casserole on a high heat. Crumble in the mince and season. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned all over and crisp at the edges.
- Add the onion, peppers and garlic, stir and cover, then cook on a low medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the oregano and spices, and cook for 2 minutes, then stir in the tomato purée, tomatoes, chicken stock and sugar. Bring to a boil then turn down and simmer for 20 minutes until thickened but still saucy. Heat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Add half the jalapeños and coriander, and simmer for 5 minutes. Check the seasoning, adding more if needed.
- Make the cornbread – in a bowl, beat together the polenta, flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, yogurt and melted butter. Stir in the cheese, the rest of the jalapeños and coriander, and season. Spoon on top of the chilli. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until risen and golden. Leave for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with extra jalapeños and sour cream.
Notes
- Optional protein variations:
- Use turkey mince for a lighter, but still hearty, version.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the beef mince with mixed beans, lentils and sweetcorn, and use vegetable stock.
- Add chorizo or spicy sausages for a smoky sausage chilli.
- This chilli cornbread pie recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less people - just use a smaller casserole or transfer the chilli mixture into a small ovenproof dish before topping it with the cornbread mixture and baking it in the oven.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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