Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake the casserole.

Grease the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This prevents the cornbread from sticking to the dish and makes for easier cleanup later.

Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook 1 pound of lean ground beef over medium heat until it is browned and cooked through. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes. Use a spatula to break up the meat as it cooks, ensuring it browns evenly.

Drain Excess Fat: Once the ground beef is cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet. This step is crucial to prevent the dish from becoming too greasy.

Add Onion and Bell Pepper: Add 1 diced small onion and 1 diced bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Incorporate Black Beans and Corn: Stir in 1 can (15 ounces) of drained and rinsed black beans and 1 can (15 ounces) of drained corn. Mix well to combine.

Add Taco Seasoning and Salsa: Sprinkle 1 packet of taco seasoning mix over the meat and vegetable mixture. Add 1 cup of salsa and stir until everything is evenly coated. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the taco filling to the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly to ensure a uniform layer.

Prepare Cornbread Mix: Prepare the cornbread mix according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves mixing the cornbread mix with water, milk, and an egg. Stir until the batter is smooth and well-combined.

Pour Cornbread Batter: Pour the prepared cornbread batter over the taco filling in the baking dish. Spread it out evenly to cover the entire surface.

Add Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the cornbread batter. This adds a deliciously cheesy crust to the bake.

Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cornbread; if it comes out clean, the dish is ready.

Cool Slightly: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This makes it easier to slice and serve.

Serve Hot: Serve the Cornbread Taco Bake hot, topped with your favorite taco fixings. Popular choices include sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and avocado slices.