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Honey Cornbread Pasta Bake

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Honey Cornbread Pasta Bake is a cozy, layered casserole that marries sweet, golden cornbread with creamy, savory pasta and meat sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort fusion perfect for weeknights or gatherings.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 12 oz short pasta (elbow, penne, or shells)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or sausage
  • 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 4 oz cream cheese or 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Prepared cornbread batter (from store-bought mix or homemade)
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • Milk and eggs (as required for boxed cornbread mix)
  • Optional: 1/4 cup diced jalapeños or chopped scallions

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook pasta until just al dente, drain, and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté chopped onion until soft.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Add ground meat and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  6. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer for 5–10 minutes.
  7. Add cream cheese or sour cream and stir until smooth.
  8. Mix in cooked pasta and half the shredded cheese.
  9. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  10. Prepare cornbread batter according to directions. Stir in honey and optional jalapeños or scallions.
  11. Spread cornbread batter evenly over the pasta layer.
  12. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
  13. Bake for 25–30 minutes until cornbread is golden and cooked through.
  14. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Use boxed or homemade cornbread batter—just add honey for sweetness.
  • Let the dish cool before cutting to keep layers intact.
  • Use plant-based options to make it dairy-free or vegetarian.
  • Oven reheating maintains the crispiness of cornbread better than microwaving.
  • Add veggies or beans for a hearty twist.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastyera.com/honey-cornbread-pasta-bake/