Bacon Cheddar Cornbread will be the star at your next BBQ!
This Bacon Cheddar Cheese Cornbread recipe is one of my go-to recipes when I’m wanting my cornbread to have a little extra umph. Served as a side with chili or a BBQ dinner, it is literally a match made in heaven.
Don’t blame me if you start finding any excuse to make these weekly!
What makes this Bacon Cheddar Cheese Cornbread sooo good? It is super quick and easy to make, and the flavors are just amazing together. It’s one of my trademark recipes and I am often asked to bring this to summertime potlucks. And that’s exactly how this recipe came to be.
A few summers ago, my church congregation gathered at the beach for some fun in the sun. School had just let out and summer was just beginning. Everyone was excited for so many things like sleeping in, the beach, BBQs, sleeping in, the beach…Why can’t it be summer year-round?!
Anyway, a potluck sign up list had been passed around the church a couple times while I had been out of town. So I wouldn’t be left out of contributing, my husband kindly signed me up to bring cornbread. Easy peasy!
Well, I already had some Trader Joe’s Cornbread mix in my pantry, and when I opened the refrigerator to grab the milk and egg, my eyes caught a package of Uncured Black Forest Bacon. My mind quickly got to thinking about adding bacon to the cornbread. Of course!
I knew I couldn’t stop with bacon because let’s be honest, “my kids” were probably going to eat quite a bit for breakfast. It didn’t take me long to grab the cheddar cheese. Bacon and cheese make anything better!
I also threw in some green chiles to give it a little heat and add some more depth to the flavor, but honestly, if you don’t have any on-hand, no need to stress.
And there you have it! Bacon Cheddar Cheese Cornbread.
So let’s talk about cornbread mixes for a second. While any brand of cornbread mix can be used, I highly recommend using Trader Joe’s cornbread mix. It’s sweet and the texture is on point! It is perfect for this recipe.
Okay, if you’re someone who cringes at the word moist, then just skip next this paragraph. You’ve been warned!!
I love extra moist cornbread, so to achieve that I decrease the baking time by 5-7 minutes. You have to try it! It makes boxed cornbread mix so much better and it really adds to the great texture.
Not a fan of moist cornbread? That’s okay because this recipe can be baked according to package directions as well!
Here’s a chef tip just for you, dear friends—make mini cornbread muffins! Simply bake the batter in mini muffin tins and you’ll be able to pop a cornbread bite in your mouth whenever you are in need of a little something.
I love experimenting with a basic recipe (Trader Joe’s Cornbread Mix) by changing the flavors. Instead of bacon, cheese, and chiles, try sundried tomatoes and basil for a lighter flavor.
As always, I’d love to hear about your experience making this Bacon Cheddar Cheese Cornbread recipe! Share it with me in the comments or tag me on Instagram @moremomma!
xoxo,
Meg
Pair this with my Simple Turkey Chili recipe to complete tonight’s dinner!
Yield: 6 Servings
Bacon Cheddar Cheese Cornbread
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Total Time:
10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 Box Trader Joe's Cornbread Mix
- Ingredients called for on Cornbread box (Trader Joe's calls for milk, oil, and eggs)
- 3 Slices Black Forest Bacon, Cooked until crispy and roughly chopped
- ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
- 3 Tablespoons Canned Diced Ortega Green Chiles
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Follow the directions on your cornbread box and mix ingredients together in a medium-size bowl.
2. Mix in crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and chiles.
3. Spray your baking dish (I like to use a 9×9 pan) with cooking spray. Pour the batter into the pan and bake to package directions (I like to cook the cornbread 5-7 minutes less than what the box says. This makes it super moist and delicious).
4. Cool slightly and then cut into squares. Serve with butter and honey or just by themselves.