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Savory Hatch Green Chili Cornbread Casserole Easy Recipe with Pepper Jack Crust

hatch green chili cornbread casserole - featured image

A comforting casserole combining the spicy tang of Hatch green chilies with a creamy, crispy pepper jack cheese crust over moist cornbread. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup whole milk (or dairy-free alternative like oat milk)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup roasted Hatch green chilies, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Fresh cilantro or green onions for topping
  • Optional: dollop of sour cream or crema for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until evenly distributed.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and milk until smooth. Stir in melted butter and mix gently.
  4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Fold in the diced roasted Hatch green chilies evenly.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
  7. Sprinkle shredded pepper jack cheese evenly over the top. Optionally dust with smoked paprika.
  8. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes to set before slicing.
  10. Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions and serve warm, optionally with sour cream or crema.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to keep cornbread tender. Use room temperature eggs and milk for even baking. Roast Hatch chilies for best smoky flavor. Grate fresh pepper jack cheese for a better crust. Rest casserole before slicing to prevent falling apart. Tent with foil if cheese browns too fast. Can add jalapeños or cayenne for extra heat. Reheat leftovers in oven to maintain crust crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hatch green chili, cornbread casserole, pepper jack crust, spicy casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, southwestern recipe