Granny's Cherokee Casserole Recipe

Granny's Cherokee Casserole is a classic American comfort food dish that combines ground beef, cornbread, and a rich tomato sauce. This hearty casserole is easy to make and perfect for a weeknight family dinner. The ground beef is seasoned with onions, garlic, and spices, then layered with cornbread batter and topped with a tangy tomato sauce. Baked to golden perfection, this casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that everyone will love. Serve it with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and melted butter. Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
4. In a small saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, and hot sauce. Heat over low heat until warmed through.
5. Spread half of the cornbread batter in the greased baking dish. Top with the cooked beef mixture. Pour half of the tomato sauce mixture over the beef layer. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining cornbread batter, beef mixture, tomato sauce, and cheddar cheese.
6. Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
7. Serve Granny's Cherokee Casserole hot and enjoy!

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