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Tex-Mex Cornbread is a delicious, loaded cornbread with a little kick. Itโ€™s a savory, cheesy side dish packed with flavor from taco seasoning, green chiles, bell peppers, corn, tomatoes, and more. The texture is rich and dense, not dry at all, with just the right balance of heat and sweetness in every bite. Serve it with chili, grilled meats, soups, or a bowl of beans. This easy cornbread is the perfect addition to any Tex-Mex or Southwest-style meal.

Tex-Mex Cornbread in a pan, sliced, with one slice on its side

The Best Cornbread Recipe with a Zesty Twist

This Tex-Mex Cornbread โ€” also known as Mexican Cornbread, Fiesta Cornbread, Jalapeรฑo Cheese Cornbread, or Southwest Cornbread โ€” is cheesy, flavorful, and full of bold Southwest flavor.

Made with cornbread mix, diced tomatoes and green chiles, taco seasoning, creamed corn, shredded cheese, and more.

This hearty twist on classic cornbread is perfect with chili, ribs, soup, BBQ chicken, or your favorite Tex-Mex meals.

What’s Great About Tex-Mex Cornbread

  • Easy to Make โ€“ Just mix, pour, and bake!
  • Cheesy and Flavor-Packed โ€“ Loaded with melty Mexican blend cheese and taco seasoning.
  • Just the Right Amount of Heat โ€“ Jalapeรฑos and Ro-Tel give it a kick without being overpowering.
  • Great for Gatherings โ€“ Feeds a crowd and travels well. You can serve this cornbread warm out of the oven or make it ahead and reheat it. It holds up beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
  • Moist and Dense โ€“ Thanks to the creamed corn and veggies.

Whether you call it Mexican Cornbread, Fiesta Cornbread, or Jalapeรฑo Cornbread with Cheese, this easy side dish bakes up dense & tender, not dry or crumbly, and is always a hit at the dinner table and gatherings.

Slice of Tex-Mex Cornbread on a spatula from the side.
Dense and soft, not your typical dry, crumbly cornbread.

If youโ€™ve been searching for the best cornbread recipe with Jiffy Mix, Ro-Tel, taco seasoning, and plenty of cheese, this oneโ€™s a keeper!

Itโ€™s spicy, savory, and has a rich, tender texture that sets it apart from dry, crumbly versions.

To me, this is the best cornbread recipe with cheese and jalapeรฑos using Jiffy Mix.

Ingredients in Tex-Mex Cornbread

Tex-Mex Cornbread ingredients on a board
Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll need to make this flavorful cornbread:

  • Jiffyยฎ Cornbread Mix โ€“ The base of the recipe; use two boxes.
  • Taco Seasoning โ€“ Adds a punch of bold Tex-Mex flavor.
  • Eggs & Milk โ€“ Binds everything together.
  • Creamed Corn โ€“ Adds moisture and a touch of sweetness.
  • Ro-Telยฎ โ€“ Diced tomatoes with green chiles for flavor and texture.
  • Mild Diced Green Chiles โ€“ No heat but adds tangy flavor.
  • Bell Pepper & Onion โ€“ For extra flavor and color.
  • Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese โ€“ Or try Pepper Jack for extra spice. Youโ€™ll use some in the batter and save some for topping.
  • Jalapeรฑos โ€“ Optional, but I recommend adding them.

How to Make Tex-Mex Cornbread

Here’s how to make this easy cornbread recipe:
jiffy mix and taco seasoning in a bowl
Prep the Oven and Pan:
โ€ข Heat your oven to 350ยฐF and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Dry Mix:
โ€ขย In a medium bowl, add the cornbread mix and taco seasoning.
โ€ขย In another bowl, add the eggs and milk.

whisking eggs & milk together, pouring milk mixture into cornbread mix.
Wet Mix:
โ€ข Whisk the eggs and milk together.
Combine:
โ€ข Gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, but just until barely mixed.

adding creamed corn to cornbread batter, adding other veggies and cheese.
โ€ข Add the creamed corn, Ro-Tel, green chiles, bell pepper, onion, and half the cheese.

mixing cornbreat batter with spoon, mixture poured in baking dish
โ€ข Stir just until combined, donโ€™t overmix!
โ€ข Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish.

cornbread batter in baking dish with cheese on top, with jalapeรฑos on top.
โ€ข Top with remaining cheese and arrange jalapeรฑo slices on top.
Bake & Cool:
โ€ข Bake for 35โ€“45 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Tips for the Best Mexican Cornbread

โ€ข Donโ€™t overmix! โ€“ย Stir just until everything comes together so the cornbread stays tender.
โ€ข Use the juice in the Ro-Tel can โ€“ It adds flavor and helps with moisture.
โ€ข Customize the heat โ€“ Use more or fewer jalapeรฑos depending on your preference.
โ€ข Want extra cheesy? โ€“ย Feel free to add a little more shredded cheese on top before baking.

Mexican Cornbread FAQs

What people are asking about “Tex-Mex” Mexican Cornbread:

  • Can I make cornbread muffins?
    Yes you can. Generously grease or use paper liners and divide the batter evenly into a muffin tin. Bake about 15-20 minutes.
  • Can I make this less spicy?
    It isn’t very spicy, but does have a little kick. So to lessen the spiciness, use mild Ro-Tel, mild taco seasoning, and skip the jalapeรฑos.
  • Can I use fresh corn instead of creamed corn?
    You can, but the texture will be drier. This is a moist and dense cornbread, so it will just be a little closer to normal cornbread in texture. The creamed corn adds moisture and richness.
  • Can I make this ahead?
    Absolutely. It reheats beautifully and even tastes better the next day! Be sure to refrigerate it.
  • Can I add meat?
    Sure! Adding some cooked ground beef or sausage is a delicious way to turn this into a one-pan meal.
  • Can I cut this recipe in half?
    Yes! You can halve the ingredients and bake the cornbread in an 8×8-inch dish. Reduce the baking time to about 25โ€“30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean.

3 pieces of Tex-Mex Cornbread on a board

What to Serve With Tex-Mex Cornbread

This cheesy cornbread goes with just about everything! Try it with:
โ€ขย Chili or taco soup
โ€ขย Pulled Pork or BBQ Chicken
โ€ขย Roasts or Fajitas
โ€ข Serve Mexican Cornbread alongside a cozy bowl of beans for a classic combo.
โ€ขย As a side dish for potlucks and parties

How to Store and Reheat Cornbread

Storage: Let leftovers cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Warm slices in the microwave or reheat in a 300ยฐF oven for 10โ€“15 minutes. You can also pop individual slices in the air fryer at 325ยฐF for 3โ€“6 minutes to revive the crispy top.
Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and in foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as desired.

More Mexican Recipes and Tex-Mex Recipes

Instant Pot Chili
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Cilantro Cream Sauce
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Mexican Street Corn Salad

If you make this delicious and zesty Tex-Mex cornbread recipe, let me know! Just leave a comment below with a star rating. I’d love to know how you liked it!

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Tex-Mex Cornbread in a pan, sliced, with one slice on its side
5 from 1 vote

Tex-Mex Cornbread

By Sandy Clifton
Tex-Mex Cornbread, AKA Mexican Cornbread, is a zesty twist on classic cornbread! Made with cornbread mix, Ro-Tel, taco seasoning, green chiles, and melty cheese, this easy side dish is perfect with chili, tortilla soup, BBQ, or your favorite ribs. A crowd-pleasing recipe from simple pantry ingredients.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Cooling Time: 10 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12

Equipment

  • 2 medium Mixing Bowls
  • 9x13-inch Baking Dish
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Ingredients 

  • 2 8.5-oz boxes Jiffyยฎ Cornbread Mix
  • 1-oz packet Taco Seasoning
  • 2 Eggs
  • โ…” cup Milk
  • 14.75-oz can Creamed Corn
  • 10-oz can Ro-Telยฎ
  • 4-oz can Diced Green Chiles
  • โ…“ cup Diced Bell Pepper (red or orange)
  • โ…“ cup Diced Yellow Onion
  • 8 ounces Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese, (a generous 2 cups) divided
  • 1-2 Jalapeรฑos, sliced

Instructions 

  • Heat oven to 350ยฐF. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • To a medium bowl, add the 2 boxes of cornbread mix and taco seasoning packet. Set aside.
  • To a second bowl, add the eggs and milk and whisk together.
  • Gently stir the milk & egg mixture into the cornbread mix (Mix just until barely combined as there will be more mixing).
  • Add the creamed corn, Ro-Tel, diced green chiles, bell pepper, onion, and half of the shredded cheese. Stir until just combined (again, donโ€™t over mix!).
  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top.
  • Place the jalapeรฑo slices on top, spreading them out.
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until done in the center.
  • Let cool about 10 minutes in the pan before slicing and serving.

Additional Info

Course: Bread, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Tex Mex
Tried this recipe?Mention @simply_happy_foodie

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Hi, Iโ€™m Sandy!

My style of cooking is casual, uncomplicated, and everything is made from my heart. I hope my recipes will help you get the meal on the table a little easier

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1 Comment

  1. Ken says:

    This was amazing cornbread. Glad it made a lot because I was able to bring it to work for lunch a few days.