Healthy Bacon + Beef Chili Cornbread Casserole

Healthy Bacon + Beef Chili Cornbread Casserole made with all gluten-free and dairy free-friendly ingredients. A delicious and easy meal to make for the whole family with a dreamy chili topped with homemade gluten-free cornbread.

So here’s a little funny story for you guys..

I was standing in Trader Joe’s with my mom and she asked me what I needed to buy. I mentioned to her I was making a chili skillet topped with cornbread for dinner. And truly, I couldn’t have looked more excited about it if you ask me. My mom then proceeded to tell me that Jordan had made that at her house once a few years ago. I still have zero memory of that ever happening, but apparently my cool and fun dinner idea has already been cooked by my husband. So there’s that.

Apparently Jordan’s mom used to make something like this growing up but with chicken. I will have to get her recipe soon and make it to compare. His mom is a really good cook, so I bet it is amazing.

This is one of those easy dinner recipes that you can make and enjoy for a few meals. Or make it for your family for dinner. I had my whole family over to eat this for dinner together the day I made it and everyone was obsessed.

I hope you guys love this recipe as much as we do over here. Especially Ezra. Comment below if you make and enjoy it!

What ingredients you need to make the Bacon + Beef Chili:

• Avocado or olive oil – either works!
• Garlic, minced
• Yellow onion
• Grass-fed beef – or use turkey or chicken. Any ground meat works
• Cooked bacon – I make mine in oven for mess-free!
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Cheddar cheese – or use dairy-free cheese if preferred (or omit completely)

What ingredients you need for the dairy-free Cornbread topping:

• Egg or a flax egg both work
• Non-dairy milk – I used full-fat coconut milk
• Avocado oil – or olive or melted coconut milk
• Coconut sugar
• Cornmeal
• Gluten-free all purpose flour – I haven’t used another gf flour but regular all purpose flour works too

How to make this one-skillet cornbread chili:

1. Warm a 12-inch cast iron skillet with the avocado oil and begin cooking the onion and garlic on medium high heat for about 5 minutes
2. Add in the beef and break into pieces using a wooden spoon or fork and cook until all brown (about 5-7 minutes)
3. Add in the diced bacon, tomatoes, tomato paste and spices and mix in the skillet and cook over low heat for a few minutes as you prepare cornbread
4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and mix together the egg, milk, oil and sugar in a medium bowl until smooth
5. Mix in the cornmeal and flour and baking powder and mix until smooth
6. Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle cheese on top then evenly spread cornbread mixture on top of the chili in the skillet
7. Bake in oven for about 18-20 minutes and serve while warm. You can serve with some additional cheese, sour cream or yogurt, avocado, anything you wish!

A few of my other favorite healthy and easy dinner recipes: 

Delicious Vegan Pumpkin alla Vodka Sauce (paleo)

Insanely Good Basil Cashew Chicken Bowls (gluten-free)

30+ Delicious and Healthy Fall Recipes to Bake