South Of Border Flip
A hearty, flavorful layered casserole combining seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, and corn, topped with fresh vegetables and served with crispy cornbread—perfect for satisfying gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1 cup tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 package taco seasoning ⓘ
- 1 cup red kidney beans ⓘ
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- 1 package frozen corn, thawed ⓘ
- 1 head shredded lettuce ⓘ
- 1 onion, diced or green onion ⓘ
- 2 cups sour cream ⓘ
- 3 tomatoes, diced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup green olives, sliced ⓘ
- Mexican hot sauce ⓘ
- 2 packages cornbread ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain off the fat.
- Add tomato sauce and taco seasoning to the beef, then simmer for a few minutes.
- Spread the meat sauce evenly in a pan.
- Layer drained kidney beans, shredded Cheddar cheese, and thawed corn over the meat sauce.
- Prepare the cornbread batter and spread it on top of the layered ingredients.
- Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until the cornbread is done.
- Top each serving with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced or green onions, sour cream, and hot sauce.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, consider adding black beans instead of red kidney beans for a different texture. You can also use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to ground beef. Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding jalapeños or using a spicier taco seasoning. If you have leftover taco meat from another meal, it can also work well here.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty dish with a side of tortilla chips for added crunch, or alongside a simple green salad for freshness. It pairs beautifully with Rotel Mexican Dip for an appetizer. For a complete meal, consider adding a side of Mexican rice or grilled vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 1-minute intervals until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of South Of Border Flip contains roughly 861 calories, with 40g protein, 107g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (81% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (81% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (57% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this dish vegetarian by substituting the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or by using mushrooms and lentils for added texture and protein. Just make sure to use vegetarian taco seasoning and check the ingredients in the cornbread mix.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or serrano peppers into the meat mixture. You can also use a spicier hot sauce as a topping. Additionally, look for a taco seasoning blend that is labeled as 'spicy' for an extra kick.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meat mixture and layer the ingredients in the pan a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve. Just be sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it goes into the oven cold.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).