Tex-mex Beef with Cornbread Topping

Want an easy, affordable way to turn boring old ground beef into something AWESOME???  Then you should give this a shot.  Comes together quickly and feeds plenty.  It goes like this...

Ingredients:

Beef filling

1 pound ground beef
1 1/2 onions, diced (red or white)
1 bell pepper, diced (I used orange, they are a little sweeter)
3 cloves garlic, you guessed it, diced
1/2 bag frozen vegetable medley (mine was corn, carrots, peas and green beans)
1 to 2 cups cooked black beans, or 1 can, drained
1 cup cheddar cheese

Sauce for filling

1/3 cup ketchup
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon mustard
1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chipotle pepper powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried cilantro


Cornbread topping

2 cups cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup melted butter or vegetable oil (both work)
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar (or less if you don't like it kinda sweet)
1 egg
1 1/2 cup milk or buttermilk, mixture should be on the thick side...

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Start by browning the beef.  Once cooked, remove from pan and set aside, drain the fat from the pan.   Cook down the onion and pepper in the same pan.

While waiting for the onions and peppers, it is the perfect time to make the sauce.  Just mix all sauce ingredients together.

 Add garlic once the onions have become translucent; cook for an additional 2 minutes.  Add the ground beef back to the pan.  Then add the sauce, 1/2 bag frozen veggies and beans.  Stir until combined.  Throw mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.  Top with cheddar cheese.

Combine cornbread mixture, or even premixed corn muffin mix you have on hand and pour evenly over the top of the meat.

Cook for approximately 20 to 30 minutes until topping is cooked through.  Let cook for about 10 minutes and then enjoy!!!