Classic Chili and Cornbread Muffins

Classic Chili and Cornbread Muffins

There is nothing like settling into a warm bowl of classic chili with freshly baked cornbread muffins on the side. This is the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with rich, savory aromas and brings everyone to the table. The chili simmers low and slow until the flavors deepen, while the muffins rise into soft, buttery perfection. Whether you choose the simple cheddar cornbread or go bold with jalapeño cheddar, each bite is comforting, hearty, and delicious. This is home cooking at its very best.

Why You Are Going to Love This Recipe

• It is the perfect cozy meal for cold evenings, football days, or easy weeknight dinners.
• The chili layers bold spices, tender beef, and hearty beans for a classic, satisfying flavor.
• The cornbread muffins bake up soft, buttery, and slightly sweet, balancing the savory chili.
• You get two cornbread options: cheddar or jalapeño cheddar, depending on your mood.
• Everything comes together with simple pantry staples for a stress free comfort meal.

Ingredients

Classic Chili

Ground beef
Crushed tomatoes
Beef stock or broth
Onions, chopped
Bell peppers, chopped
Tomatoes, chopped
Pinto beans
Kidney beans
Tomato paste
Garlic
Ancho chili powder
Chipotle chili powder
Salt
Black pepper
Cumin
Smoked paprika
Oil for cooking

Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

Martha White Buttermilk cornbread and muffin mix
Milk
Mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Melted butter

Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

Martha White Mexican style cornbread and muffin mix
Milk
Mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Egg
Melted butter

Garnish

Parsley, chopped
Jalapeños, sliced
Honey
Sour cream

How to Make the Classic Chili

1. Heat a bit of oil in a large pot over medium heat and brown the ground beef.
2. Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until the onions turn soft and translucent.
3. Stir in tomato paste and let it cook briefly to deepen the flavor.
4. Add chopped tomatoes and allow everything to simmer together.
5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes along with the pinto and kidney beans.
6. Stir well, cover, and let the chili cook until rich and flavorful.
7. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper before serving.

How to Make Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Add the buttermilk cornbread mix to a bowl.
3. Mix in the milk and shredded cheddar until combined.
4. Divide into muffin cups and bake until golden.
5. Brush the warm muffins with melted butter.

How to Make Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Add the Mexican style cornbread mix to a bowl.
3. Mix in the milk, beaten egg, and shredded cheddar.
4. Divide into muffin cups and bake until lightly crisp on the edges.
5. Brush with melted butter.

How to Serve

Spoon a generous serving of chili into a bowl and top it with sour cream, parsley, and sliced jalapeños. Serve warm cornbread muffins on the side with a drizzle of honey. Let everything melt together for the perfect comforting bite.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It reheats beautifully on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Cornbread muffins can be kept at room temperature in a sealed container. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer until warm and soft.

Meta Descriptions

160 characters:
Cozy classic chili served with cheddar or jalapeño cornbread muffins. A hearty, comforting meal perfect for cold nights and easy family dinners.

220 characters:
This classic chili with cheddar and jalapeño cornbread muffins is the ultimate comfort meal. Bold, hearty, and easy to make, it is perfect for weeknights, game days, or anytime you want something warm and satisfying.

Print Recipe

Classic Chili and Cornbread Muffins

There’s something beautifully simple about a pot of classic chili simmering on the stove while warm, buttery cornbread muffins rise in the oven. This dish brings together everything we crave on a chilly evening: bold flavor, tender beef, hearty beans, and just the right amount of spice, all paired with fluffy cornbread that melts into every spoonful. Whether you go with the rich cheddar version or the tangy jalapeño-studded mix, each muffin becomes the perfect companion to that deep, savory bowl of comfort. It’s a cozy, no-fuss meal that feels like home with every bite.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time40 minutes mins

Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chili, cornbread, dinner, muffins

Servings: 6 people

Author: kingcooks

Ingredients

• Oil for cooking

Classic Chili

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups beef stock or broth
• 1 cup onions chopped
• 1 cup bell peppers chopped
• 1 cup tomatoes chopped
• 1/2 cup pinto beans canned
• 1/2 cup kidney beans canned
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp garlic minced or paste
• 1 tsp ancho chili powder
• 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1 tsp salt plus more to taste
• 1 tsp black pepper plus more to taste
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

• 1 6 oz pouch Martha White Buttermilk Cornbread and Muffin Mix
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese shredded
• Melted butter for after baking

Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

• 1 6 oz punch Martha White Mexican Style Cornbread and Muffin Mix
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 large egg beaten
• Melted butter for after baking

Garnish

• Parsley chopped
• Jalapeños sliced (optional)
• Honey for serving
• Sour cream for serving

Instructions

Classic Chili

• To a large pot of Dutch oven over medium heat, add some oil and brown the ground beef.
• Once browned, add the chopped onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Allow to sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
• Now, add tomato paste and cook down for 1-2 minutes.
• Then, add the chopped tomatoes and continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Add the entire can of crushed tomatoes, followed by the pinto and kidney beans.
• Stir to combine and cover to cook for 30-45 mins over medium-low heat.

Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Empty one pouch of Martha White Buttermilk Cornbread & Muffin mix into a bowl.
• Add 2/3 cup milk and 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar.
• Mix together to combine and divide evenly into muffins. Should make six medium-sized muffins.
• Once out of the oven, brush with melted butter and serve!

Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Empty one pouch of Martha White Mexican Style Cornbread & Muffin mix into a bowl.
• Add 2/3 cup milk, the beaten egg, and 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar.
• Mix together to combine and divide evenly into muffins. Should make six medium-sized muffins.
• Once out of the oven, brush with melted butter and serve!

Assemble

• Taste the chili and season with salt and pepper to taste. Once ready, serve with a side of the cornbread muffins and garnish with sour cream, parsley, and a few slices of jalapeño. Enjoy!