Quick and easy homemade sloppy joe casserole topped with Southern cornbread is a great family friendly meal. Ground beef in a homemade juicy sauce topped with buttermilk cornbread. Finish it in the oven and you'll have dinner on the table in an hour.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat and add onion, cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add beef to the skillet and season with chili powder, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Cook until meat is cooked through, drain fat and add jalapeño and garlic. Cook an additional 2 minutes.
Add ketchup, chili sauce, Worcestershire, vinegar, hot sauce and red pepper flakes. Add ½ cup water and reduce heat to low. Cook stirring often until the sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add cilantro. Pour into a 9 X 13 baking dish or if using an oven proof skillet, leave it in the skillet.
Topping: Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add buttermilk, corn, eggs, oil, and cheese and stir until just combined.
Spread over the meat mixture and bake until cornbread is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean.
Remove from oven and let sit 10 minutes before serving.
Barbara's Notes + Tips
You can substitute your favorite BBQ sauce for the filling, just add about 1 cup.
You can make this spicier by adding some chopped jalapeno to the cornbread.
Leftovers will freeze, to reheat, place in the oven at 350º for about 10 minutes.