Vegan Taco Cornbread Casserole

This quick and easy Vegan Taco Cornbread Casserole creates a hardy, healthy, delicious meal that also yields leftovers. Enjoy layers of cornbread, meatless taco filling, and a creamy center.

Serve this with some air fryer tortilla chips too.

Two plates hold slices of taco cornbread casserole. There's a bowl of tortilla chips behind it.

I love simple, easy weeknight meals. I oftentimes make them on the weekend so we can enjoy leftovers all week long. This vegan Mexican cornbread casserole is one of my favorites for that very reason.

Why is This the Best Recipe?

  • Using store-bought cornbread mix makes this recipe easy to throw together in minutes
  • Infusing veggie crumbles with taco seasoning makes this a hearty, protein-infused plant based dinner
  • Layering the ingredients and topping with cheese gives every bite satisfying flavors.

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Veggie crumbles — Buy these veggie meat crumbles in the store, or you can make homemade vegan ground beef crumbles. If you’re using something like Impossible Meat or Beyond Meat, follow the package instructions to cook it first.
  • Taco Seasoning — You can use storebought or make your own taco seasoning
  • Diced tomatoes — You can use regular diced tomatoes or petite diced.
  • Chopped green chilies — You can find these canned near the salsas in most grocery stores.
  • Vegan cornbread — Make it fast by using this vegan Jiffy cornbread recipe. Or make it from scratch with this homemade vegan cornbread.
  • Plant-based milk — You’ll need some plant-based milk to make your cornbread. I use soy or almond milk.
  • Ground flaxseed — We’ll use a simple flax seed egg as an egg substitute in the cornbread.
  • Whole kernel corn – I like adding corn to this cornbread to add texture.
  • Cream-style corn — Even though it has the word “cream” in it, most cream-style corn is actually vegan.

How to Make Vegan Cornbread Casserole

  1. Make Mexican veggie meat crumbles by stirring together veggie crumbles and taco seasoning. Then stir in the tomatoes and the green chilies.
  2. Prepare the cornbread by stirring the cornbread mix with soy milk, flax, cornstarch, and vinegar. Add half of the can of whole corn and half of the cream-style corn.
  3. Make casserole layers by spreading half of the cornbread batter in the bottom of a prepared pan. Top with the veggie meat mixture, followed by the remaining whole and cream-style corn and some of the vegan cheddar shreds.
    A cornbread batter is being poured over a casserole dish.
  4. Top with the remaining cornbread batter and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar shreds. 
    A hand holds cheese and is spreading it across the top of an unbaked casserole.
  5. Cover with foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Use tongs to remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and golden.

Marly’s Tips

Depending on the type of veggie crumbles you’re using, you may need to cook the veggie crumbles first. For example, plant based meats mimic meats and require cooking, whereas frozen veggie crumbles do not. Be sure to follow the package directions.

Serving Suggestions

Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes and then serve warm with any of the following:

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

A close-up of a Mexican cornbread casserole slice on a plate. It's topped with sour cream, chopped tomatoes, and chopped jalapeños..

Vegan Mexican Recipes

If you love this vegan Mexican cornbread casserole, you’ll definitely want to try these other tasty dishes:

A hand holds bite of casserole, hovering over the rest of the slice. There's a bowl to tortilla chips and a margarita in the background.
A slice of cornbread casserole sits on a plate. It's topped with sour cream and sliced tomatoes and jalapeños.

Vegan Mexican Cornbread Casserole

This quick and easy vegan taco cornbread casserole creates a hearty, healthy, delicious meal that yields leftovers. Enjoy layers of cornbread, meatless taco filling, and a creamy center topped with vegan cheese.
5 from 2 votes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 134kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups veggie crumbles
  • 4 – 5 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 4 oz can chopped green chilies
  • 2 8 oz packages vegan cornbread/muffin mix
  • 1 cup soy milk
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 15 oz can whole kernel corn
  • 1 15 oz can cream-style corn (see note)
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 cups vegan cheddar shreds

Instructions

  • Heat your oven to 400F. Spray a 9X13 pan with a light coating of vegetable spray.
  • In a large bowl combine the veggie crumbles and taco seasoning. Stir to ensure the seasoning is well distributed. Add the tomatoes (and the juice), and green chilies. Stir to combine. Set aside.
  • Prepare the cornbread: Pour the packets of cornbread mix in a bowl. Create a well in the middle and pour the soy milk, flax, cornstarch and vinegar. Stir the milk mixture together and then stir in the cornbread mixture. Add half of the can of whole corn and half of the cream-style corn. Stir to combine. The texture should be the consistency of a cake batter. If it's too thick, add a tablespooon or two of water and stir to combine.
  • Casserole Layers: Spread half of the cornbread batter in the bottom of the prepared pan. Top that with the veggie meat mixture, followd by the remaining half of the corn and the cream-style corn and 1 cup of the vegan cheddar shreds. Then top with the remaining cornbread batter. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheddar shreds.
  • Spray a sheet of foil with vegetable spray (to prevent it from sticking to the cheese) and place sprayed side down over the casserole.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Use tongs to remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and golden.
  • Use oven mitts to remove the casserole from the oven and set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Then cut into slices and serve.

Recommended Equipment

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Notes

To make this gluten-free, use a gluten-fee cornbread mix like Bob’s Red Mill, and replace the veggie crumbles with 2 15 oz cans of drained black beans. It totally works!
Note: Most canned cream-style corns do not have actual cream in it. If you do not have any creamed style corn, you can drain a can of corn and add it to a blender or food processor. Pulse it in quick bursts to break up kernels a bit. Add 1/2 cup of soy milk and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Pulse again to combine. Then add this to a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat to activate the cornstarch and thicken the sauce.
Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 598mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 264IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

19 Responses to Vegan Taco Cornbread Casserole

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyBre Reply

    Do you have to cook the vegan meat crumbles before putting into the casserole, or use them frozen?

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Most vegan crumbles can be added to the casserole frozen (or thawed from their frozen state). If you’re using Beyond Meat Ground or Impossible ground, they need to be cooked before being added to the casserole.

  2. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyKara Reply

    This does look great, but Morningstar crumbles are definitely NOT vegan.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Great catch, Kara! I updated the recipe. Vegetarians can choose Morningstar Crumbles, but it’s not a good option for vegans because it has dairy in it.

  3. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlySusan Reply

    My life is a bit chaotic right now, so I need easy recipes. Also there are fritos on top so count me in.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Fritos and me are a dangerous combination. I can’t stay out of them!

  4. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyChristiane ~ Taking On Magazines Reply

    Hey, a lot of famous brilliant people were crazy so consider yourself in good company. Personally, I love leftovers for breakfast. Many times I just put a poached egg over it and I’m good to go. This would definitely be one of those dishes I’d do that with, just so you know. It looks amazing. Good luck with the move!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      You know what they say, crazy loves company. Wait. Maybe that’s not what they say…but they should!

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